Plant care
Cabbage Ferntemperature & humidity
Aglaomorpha coronans
More about cabbage fern
Ideal temperature for cabbage fern
Temperature kills fewer cabbage fern plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 18-28°C (64-82°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 18°C the damage starts — soft blackened patches, translucent leaves, sometimes overnight.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Cabbage Fern is frost-tender (USDA 10-12 (indoor-only in most of the US and UK), RHS H1C). It cannot survive a frost, so in most of the US and UK it lives indoors year-round or summers outside and comes back in well before the first autumn frost — once nights drop toward 10-12°C is the cue, not the first frost warning. Acclimate it over a week when moving between indoors and out so the leaves do not shock.
Humidity for cabbage fern
Cabbage Fern sits happiest at around 60-80% relative humidity. Requires high humidity typical of tropical forests. Use a humidifier nearby, group with other plants, or place on a pebble tray with water. Misting fronds is beneficial but ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Cabbage Fern temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for cabbage fern?
Cabbage Fern grows best between 18-28°C (64-82°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can cabbage fern tolerate?
Cabbage Fern starts to suffer below roughly 18°C. It is frost-tender and will be damaged or killed by a frost, so bring it indoors once nights fall toward 10-12°C.
What humidity does cabbage fern need?
Cabbage Fern prefers about 60-80% relative humidity. Requires high humidity typical of tropical forests. Use a humidifier nearby, group with other plants, or place on a pebble tray with water. Misting fronds is beneficial but ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
How do I raise humidity for cabbage fern?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can cabbage fern live outside?
Cabbage Fern is rated for USDA zone 10-12 (indoor-only in most of the US and UK) and RHS hardiness H1C. Outside that range it must come indoors before the first frost — treat any outdoor stint as a summer holiday, not a permanent home.
More cabbage fern care
In the UK? Keeping cabbage fern warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full cabbage fern care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.