Dwarf Feather Palm Nephrolepis exaltata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nef-roh-LEP-iss eks-all-TAY-tuh
- Description
-
A lush green terrestrial or epiphytic fern commonly grown as a houseplant. Plant in bright, indirect light and warmth (60-70 degrees). This fern needs high humidity and moist soil that should never be allowed to dry out. Place near kitchens and bathrooms for higher humidity or set on a tray of wet pebbles. In the winter, reduce watering since the plant is dormant and overwatering can lead to root rot. This plant removes indoor air pollutants well.
They produce spores on the underside of the leaves. These are dark brown to black dots that appear in a pattern. Do not mistake these for insect or disease damage.
Quick ID Hints:
- Fronds pinnately compound, lanceolate shaped, gradually tapering upward
- Pinnae basally auricled and asymmetrical
- Sori round on vein
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scales or spider mites can be a problem if the air around the plant is too dry.This plant shows invasive tenancies in warm climates.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Bostoniensis', 'Ruffles', 'Tiger'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Bostoniensis', 'Ruffles', 'Tiger'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nephrolepis
- Species:
- exaltata
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & Subtropical America
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Creeping
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
-
-
Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Variegated
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Auriculate
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Doubly Serrate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Fronds are erect to arching or pendent, 2-3 ft long, short-petiolate, pinnately compound, lanceolate, and are often crowded along stolons. Fronds are graceful, green, have a lacy look, and are attractive in hanging baskets. Pinnules are numerous, linear-oblong, base asymmetrically auricled and almost clasping, the margin serrulate to crenate. Indusium lines the margin, is circular, and not commonly seen on houseplants. Some variegated cultivars exist.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Rhizomes are short, suberect, and with slender stolons.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
