Squirrel's Paw Fern (Ball Fern) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Squirrel's Paw Fern burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Thrives in bright, indirect light. A position near a window with filtered sunlight — such as a sheer-curtained south or west window, or an unobstructed east window — produces the best frond density. Low light causes thin, sparse growth; direct sun scorches the delicate frond tips. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering squirrel's paw fern: every 5–8 days in the growing season, every 10–14 days in cooler months. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Allow the top third of the growing medium to dry between waterings. Water thoroughly so moisture reaches all roots, then drain completely. Davallia bullata handles brief dry spells better than most ferns due to water stored in its rhizomes, but consistent overwatering causes root and rhizome rot.

Soil and pot

Squirrel's Paw Fern grows best in coarse, airy, epiphytic growing medium. Use coarse orchid bark mixed with perlite (1:1). Standard potting compost is too dense and retains too much moisture, risking rhizome rot. For hanging baskets, lining with sphagnum moss over the bark mix improves moisture regulation while maintaining airflow around the spreading rhizomes. 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 Paw Fern sits happiest at around 45–65% humidity and 15–27 °C (59–81 °F). Tolerates average household humidity better than many tropical ferns. Aim to keep humidity above 45% to prevent frond tip browning. In winter, when central heating dries the air significantly, a pebble tray with water or a humidifier near the plant is beneficial. If you keep the room above 15–27 °C 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 paw fern sparingly. Feed monthly with a diluted balanced liquid fertiliser (half strength) from spring to early autumn. Davallia species are light feeders; feeding too frequently or at full strength leads to salt burn on the rhizomes and frond tips. Withhold fertiliser completely in winter. 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 paw fern in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Frond tip browning — Most commonly caused by low humidity or fluoride sensitivity in tap water. Switch to rainwater or filtered water, raise humidity with a pebble tray, and keep away from draughts and heating vents. Trim brown tips with clean scissors if aesthetics are important.
• Rhizome rot from overwatering — Soft, dark, mushy rhizomes result from constantly wet conditions. Allow the medium to partially dry between waterings and ensure the container drains freely. Remove rotted rhizome sections and avoid replanting in heavy, moisture-retentive compost.
• Mealybugs — White, cottony clusters in the crevices where fronds meet rhizomes. Wipe off with a cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol, then apply neem oil spray or insecticidal soap. Repeat applications every 7 days for at least a month to break the life cycle.

Propagation

Cut rhizome sections 5–8 cm long, each with at least one growing tip or node. Pin them onto the surface of moist sphagnum moss or bark mix without burying them. Maintain warmth (20–25 °C) and moderate humidity. New fronds appear within 4–8 weeks. The plant can also be repotted and rhizomes naturally colonise new medium. 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 Paw Fern is pet-safe. Davallia bullata belongs to the family Davalliaceae. Davallia ferns are not listed as toxic to cats or dogs by the ASPCA. No toxic principles have been identified in this genus, and the fuzzy rhizomes that pets may find attractive are non-toxic. 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 Paw Fern deep-dive guides

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

• Squirrel's Paw Fern watering schedule
• Squirrel's Paw Fern light requirements
• Best soil mix for squirrel's paw fern
• Squirrel's Paw Fern fertilizing guide
• When to repot squirrel's paw fern
• How to propagate squirrel's paw fern
• Squirrel's Paw Fern growth rate & size
• Squirrel's Paw Fern cold hardiness
• Squirrel's Paw Fern temperature & humidity
• Is squirrel's paw fern toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is squirrel's paw fern toxic to cats?
• Is squirrel's paw fern toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Squirrel's Paw Fern qualifies for 9 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 drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best trailing & climbing houseplants — Vining and trailing houseplants for shelves, hanging pots, and moss poles — selected by growth habit.
• Best pet-safe trailing & hanging plants — Trailing and climbing plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — safe for shelves and hanging pots in a pet home.
• Best pet-safe low-maintenance plants — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and forgiving of forgotten watering — the easiest safe choices for a busy pet household.
• 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 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.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Squirrel's Paw Fern is also known as Squirrel's Paw Fern, Ball Fern, and Hare's Foot Fern.

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