Gold Fern Plant Care
Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pityrogramma calomelanos, commonly known as the silver fern, is a rhizomatous geophyte or lithophyte native to Mexico and Tropical America. It grows mainly in subtropical regions and has been introduced widely across Asia, Africa, and Pacific islands.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Gold Fern?
Water Gold Fern every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Gold Fern Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Gold Fern?
Gold Fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos) belongs to the Pteridaceae family within the Pityrogramma genus. Gold Fern is native to Mexico and Tropical America. Gold Fern is also known as Mealy Fern, Scaly Fern, Tropical Gold Fern.
Gold Fern displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Gold Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Gold Fern?
Pityrogramma calomelanos requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Gold Fern Need?
Gold Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Gold Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gold Fern Prefer?
Pityrogramma calomelanos grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Gold Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gold Fern?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Gold Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Gold Fern?
Feed Gold Fern every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Gold Fern?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Gold Fern?
Gold Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sulphur fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Gold Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Gold Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Gold Fern?
Gold Fern is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Gold Fern Need?
Gold Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Gold Fern is native to Mexico and Tropical America. In cooler regions, grow Gold Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Gold Fern is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pityrogramma genus — compare its care with other Pityrogramma species on PlantoScan.
Pityrogramma is part of the Pteridaceae plant family — browse all Pteridaceae genera and species.
Gold Fern thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pityrogramma calomelanos (L.) Link, family Pteridaceae (first published in Handb. Gewächsk. 3: 20 (1833)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Gold Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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