Squirrel's Foot Fern (Squirrel Foot Fern) care

Light

In the wild squirrel's foot fern grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Prefers bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing position is ideal. Some direct morning sun is tolerated. Avoid harsh afternoon sun which causes frond scorch. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for when the top 2-3 cm of the potting medium feels dry, roughly every 7-10 days in summer for squirrel's foot fern, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Water the potting medium rather than the rhizomes, which can rot if kept too wet. Allow the medium to partially dry between waterings. In winter, reduce watering significantly and allow the fronds to rest if they yellow — the rhizomes store moisture.

Soil and pot

Squirrel's Foot Fern grows best in epiphytic, fast-draining orchid or bromeliad mix. A chunky mix of fine bark, perlite, and a little sphagnum moss suits the creeping rhizomes well. Avoid heavy peat-based mixes; the rhizomes need air exposure and will desiccate if buried in dense substrate. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Squirrel's Foot Fern sits happiest at around 50-65% humidity and 16-24°C (60-75°F). Moderate humidity is beneficial but this fern is more tolerant of dry air than many others, as the fleshy rhizomes store moisture. Occasional misting of the rhizomes (not the fronds) in dry conditions is helpful. If you keep the room above 16 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed squirrel's foot fern sparingly. Feed monthly during spring and summer with a dilute balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength. Avoid over-fertilising the naturally lean epiphytic mix as salt build-up damages rhizomes. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on squirrel's foot fern in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Rhizome rot — Caused by burying or constantly wetting the surface rhizomes. Keep them on top of the medium and water the root zone below.
• Frond die-back in winter — This fern can be semi-deciduous; frond loss in low winter light and cool temperatures is normal. Reduce watering and new fronds emerge in spring.
• Scale insects — Can colonise the furry rhizomes. Treat with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol or insecticidal soap spray.
• Brown frond tips in dry air — Though more drought-tolerant than many ferns, very dry centrally heated air causes tip browning. Mist rhizomes occasionally.
• Pot-bound rhizomes — The creeping rhizomes will cascade over the pot edge — this is normal. Repot when rhizomes cover more than half the exterior of the pot.

Companion plants

Squirrel's Foot Fern pairs well with Hoya kerrii, Peperomia rotundifolia, and Ceropegia woodii. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.

Propagation

Cut a section of rhizome with at least one frond and several roots and pin it to the surface of fresh potting mix in a new pot. Keep warm and humid until new growth emerges. The rhizome sections root readily in spring. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Squirrel's Foot Fern is pet-safe. Davallia species (rabbit's foot and squirrel foot ferns) are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. The distinctive furry rhizomes may attract cat attention but pose no toxic risk. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Squirrel's Foot Fern deep-dive guides

Every aspect of squirrel's foot fern care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common squirrel's foot fern problems & fixes
• Squirrel's Foot Fern watering schedule
• Squirrel's Foot Fern light requirements
• Best soil mix for squirrel's foot fern
• Squirrel's Foot Fern fertilizing guide
• When to repot squirrel's foot fern
• How to propagate squirrel's foot fern
• How to prune squirrel's foot fern
• What's eating my squirrel's foot fern?
• Squirrel's Foot Fern growth rate & size
• Squirrel's Foot Fern cold hardiness
• Squirrel's Foot Fern temperature & humidity
• Is squirrel's foot fern toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is squirrel's foot fern toxic to cats?
• Is squirrel's foot fern toxic to dogs?
• All 10 Davallia varieties

Featured in these plant shortlists

Squirrel's Foot Fern qualifies for 8 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
• Best small & tabletop houseplants — Compact houseplants that stay under about 40 cm — desk, shelf and windowsill plants that never outgrow a small space.
• Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
• Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
• Best small pet-safe plants — Compact, tabletop houseplants that are also ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe greenery for a desk or shelf.
• Browse all 30 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Squirrel's Foot Fern is also known as Squirrel Foot Fern, Dwarf Rabbit's Foot Fern, and Ball Fern.

• Cat's Jaws care — light, water and common problems
• Karas Mountains Living Stones care — light, water and common problems
• Optic Living Stones care — light, water and common problems
• All 11687 plant care guides in the Growli library