Repotting guide

When & how to repot Squirrel's Foot Fern (Davallia trichomanoides)

Also called Squirrel Foot Fern, Dwarf Rabbit's Foot Fern, Ball Fern.

More about squirrel's foot fern

About Squirrel's Foot Fern

Davallia trichomanoides · also called Squirrel Foot Fern, Dwarf Rabbit's Foot Fern · houseplant

Davallia trichomanoides is a charming epiphytic fern famous for its pale, furry rhizomes that creep over the pot rim like the feet of a small animal. The finely divided, lacy fronds are semi-deciduous. It is a rewarding houseplant and is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

Mature size: 20-30 cm tall; rhizomes may creep well beyond the pot edge

Watch for — Rhizome rot: Caused by burying or constantly wetting the surface rhizomes. Keep them on top of the medium and water the root zone below.

How to tell squirrel's foot fern needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For squirrel's foot fern, watch for these signs:

Roots creeping out of the drainage holes or matting tightly across the soil surface.
The rootball dries out within a day or two no matter how much you water.
Water channels straight down the gap between rootball and pot without wetting the centre.
Steady decline — thin growth, persistent crispy edges — that good humidity and watering have not fixed. Only then is the disturbance of a repot worth the risk for squirrel's foot fern.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot squirrel's foot fern

Every 1–2 years, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Squirrel's Foot Fern's growth habit — epiphytic creeping fern with furry surface rhizomes — sets the pace. Davallia trichomanoides is a charming epiphytic fern famous for its pale, furry rhizomes that creep over the pot rim like the feet of a small animal. The finely divided, lacy fronds are semi-deciduous. It is a rewarding houseplant and is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA.

What size pot to step squirrel's foot fern up to

Go up only one size and handle the rootball as little as possible. Squirrel's Foot Fern resents root disturbance, so the goal is to slide the intact rootball into slightly more soil — not to tease, wash or prune the roots. A modest step up means less shock and a faster recovery.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot squirrel's foot fern

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for squirrel's foot fern. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting squirrel's foot fern

Keep disturbance to a minimum. Squirrel's Foot Fern resents root disturbance, so the plan is to move the intact rootball — not to wash, tease or prune the roots.
Choose just one size up. Pick a pot only one size larger with drainage, and have moisture-retentive epiphytic, fast-draining orchid or bromeliad mix ready.
Slide the rootball out whole. Water the day before, then ease squirrel's foot fern out keeping the rootball intact. Gently free only the roots that are circling the very bottom.
Nestle it into fresh soil. Add a base layer of fresh mix, set the rootball in at the same depth, and backfill gently around the sides without packing hard.
Water and protect. Water in, then keep it warm, humid and out of direct sun for a few weeks while it re-roots. Expect a short sulk — that is normal.

Aftercare

Expect squirrel's foot fern to sulk for a couple of weeks — that is normal after any root disturbance for this group. Keep it warm, humid and out of direct sun, water just enough to keep the mix lightly moist, and do not panic and overwater while it re-roots. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for squirrel's foot fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern wants 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. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting squirrel's foot fern — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot squirrel's foot fern?

Every 1–2 years, disturbing the roots as little as possible for squirrel's foot fern. Repot squirrel's foot fern every 1–2 years, disturbing the roots as little as possible — it sulks for weeks if the rootball is teased apart. Slide it into one size up in spring with fresh epiphytic, fast-draining orchid or bromeliad mix, keep it warm and humid afterwards, and never bare-root or hard-prune the roots.

What size pot does squirrel's foot fern need?

When is the best time of year to repot squirrel's foot fern?

Why does squirrel's foot fern sulk after repotting?

Squirrel's Foot Fern resents root disturbance, so a wilt or stall for a week or two after repotting is normal, not a failure. Minimise it by keeping the rootball intact, stepping up just one size, and keeping the plant warm, humid and out of direct sun while it re-roots.

Should you fertilise squirrel's foot fern after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting squirrel's foot fern. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.