Repotting guide

When & how to repot Squirrel's Paw Fern (Davallia bullata)

Also called Squirrel's Paw Fern, Ball Fern, Hare's Foot Fern.

More about squirrel's paw fern

About Squirrel's Paw Fern

Davallia bullata · also called Squirrel's Paw Fern, Ball Fern · houseplant

Davallia bullata is an epiphytic fern from tropical Asia with finely divided, feathery fronds and thick, creeping rhizomes covered in brown and white scales resembling a squirrel's paw. Easy to grow as a hanging basket or mounted specimen, it tolerates average indoor conditions and brief drying out, making it one of the more beginner-friendly ferns.

Mature size: 25–40 cm tall, 40–60 cm spread

How to tell squirrel's paw fern needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For squirrel's paw 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 paw 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 paw fern

Every 1–2 years, disturbing the roots as little as possible. Squirrel's Paw Fern's growth habit — epiphytic, spreading fern; thick, scaly rhizomes creep over and beyond the pot rim; finely dissected, feathery fronds arch outward and downward, ideal for hanging baskets — sets the pace. Davallia bullata is an epiphytic fern from tropical Asia with finely divided, feathery fronds and thick, creeping rhizomes covered in brown and white scales resembling a squirrel's paw. Easy to grow as a hanging basket or mounted specimen, it tolerates average indoor conditions and brief drying out, making it one of the more beginner-friendly ferns.

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

Go up only one size and handle the rootball as little as possible. Squirrel's Paw 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 paw fern

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for squirrel's paw 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 paw fern

Keep disturbance to a minimum. Squirrel's Paw 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 coarse, airy, epiphytic growing medium ready.
Slide the rootball out whole. Water the day before, then ease squirrel's paw 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 paw 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 paw fern

Squirrel's Paw Fern wants 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. 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 paw fern — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot squirrel's paw fern?

Every 1–2 years, disturbing the roots as little as possible for squirrel's paw fern. Repot squirrel's paw 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 coarse, airy, epiphytic growing medium, keep it warm and humid afterwards, and never bare-root or hard-prune the roots.

What size pot does squirrel's paw fern need?

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

Why does squirrel's paw fern sulk after repotting?

Squirrel's Paw 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 paw fern after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting squirrel's paw 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.