UK compost
What compost for toothed davallia in the UK?
Davallia denticulata
More about toothed davallia in the UK
Which compost toothed davallia needs
For toothed davallia the mix to buy is peat-free multipurpose compost. Use coarse orchid bark with perlite (1:1), or sphagnum moss for basket or mount cultivation. Standard potting mixes are too dense and cause rhizome rot. In tropical garden settings, it grows naturally on rock faces, tree trunks, and in sandy, well-drained forest soils with heavy organic debris.In British garden centres the bagged growing medium is sold simply as “compost” (multipurpose, ericaceous, or loam-based John Innes), which is a different thing from the rotted garden “compost” you make in a heap — for a pot you want the bagged kind.
Peat-free compost
Buy peat-free. The sale of peat compost to home gardeners is being phased out across the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free on environmental grounds. A good peat-free multipurpose grows toothed davallia perfectly well; the one habit to change is watering — peat-free dries faster at the surface while still moist below, so check by feel a knuckle deep rather than trusting the look of the top.
Ericaceous or multipurpose?
Toothed Davallia is straightforward: an ordinary peat-free multipurpose compost is right. For a big specimen or a pot it will live in for years, mixing in some loam-based John Innes No.2 or No.3 adds weight and holds nutrients longer. Ericaceous compost is not needed unless a plant is specifically a lime-hater.
For the full recipe, pH and drainage detail (US wording), see the toothed davallia soil & potting-mix guide.
Compost for Toothed Davallia in the UK — frequently asked questions
What compost should I use for toothed davallia in the UK?
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. Use coarse orchid bark with perlite (1:1), or sphagnum moss for basket or mount cultivation. Standard potting mixes are too dense and cause rhizome rot. In tropical garden settings, it grows naturally on rock faces, tree trunks, and in sandy, well-drained forest soils with heavy organic debris. In UK garden centres this is sold simply as "compost" — the bagged growing medium, not garden-made leaf-mould — so match the description above rather than a brand.
Can I use ordinary multipurpose compost for toothed davallia?
Yes. A good peat-free multipurpose compost is exactly right for toothed davallia. For a large or long-term pot you can mix in some John Innes No.2 or No.3 (loam-based) for extra weight and staying power.
Should the compost be peat-free?
Yes. Sales of peat compost to home gardeners are being phased out in the UK, and the RHS recommends peat-free for environmental reasons. Modern peat-free multipurpose composts grow toothed davallia perfectly well — they dry a little faster at the surface, so check moisture by feel rather than by the look of the top.
Does toothed davallia need grit or perlite added?
Not essential, but a couple of handfuls of perlite in the mix improves aeration and guards against overwatering — useful on a cool, damp British windowsill where compost stays wet longer.
What pot and drainage does toothed davallia need?
Always a pot with drainage holes. Coarse epiphytic bark and perlite mix, or pure sphagnum. Stand it on a saucer, empty any water that collects after watering, and never leave the pot sitting in a full outer cover — waterlogged compost in a cool UK room is the commonest cause of root rot.
More toothed davallia care
See the full toothed davallia care guide, its UK watering and UK hardiness.