Hemionitis seticaulis

The sickle fern is an evergreen, perennial, tufted fern that prefers humid and tropical environments and is native to Tropical Southeast Asia, New Zealand and parts of Australia. This plant is found in shaded forests along streams and water falls. It is a member of the ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae). It is cultivated as an ornamental and can be grown indoors as a houseplant or as a groundcover in tropical and subtropical regions. Its attractive foliage consists of erect, dark green, leathery, linear-shaped fronds and sickle-shaped leaflets. The fronds may be used in floral arrangements. The genus name, Hemionits, is derived from the Greek word, heminonos, meaning "mule." This is believed to refer to the plant being sterile. The specific epithet, seticaulis, originated from the Latin words, seta, meaning "bristle or hair," and caulis, meaning "stem or stalk."

The sickle fern prefers indirect sunlight and can tolerate low light conditions and thrives in moist, well-drained, organic rich soil. The soil needs to be kept moist but not saturated. Regular misting will help provide an adequate humidity level. Remove any dead or damaged fronds to encourage new growth. This plant can be propagated by either spore collection or rhizome division. 

The fronds are borne from short and stout, creeping rhizomes. The plant has a clumping habit with arching, shiny fronds. The fronds are a deep green, pinnate with many smaller leaflets, and has a midrib that runs along the entire length of the frond. The frond is linear-shaped with a tapering point. The pinnae are short, oblong to sickle-shaped, and the rhachis and stipe are covered with fine scales. The fronds tend to lose some of its pinnae, and they can become leggy.

This unique and attractive fern makes it a popular specimen for houseplant enthusiasts.

Insects, Diseases,, and Other Plant Problems:  The sickle fern is generally diseases and insect resistant. Monitor for scale or aphids and potential fungal infections.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.