Fishtail Fern: Grow and Care

Fishtail Fern is an ornamental plant because of its beautiful crested leaves. Fishtail Fern is a famous long-leaved plant with lots of flower fronds. Microsorum punctatum is a medicinal fern commonly called the Fishtail Fern. The scientific name is Nephrolepis falcata ‘Furans’. It is a fast-growing plant and requires little maintenance. Leaves are up to 90 centimeters long and can get to 4mm in diameter, leathery, green to yellow-green, with the leaflets forked at the end. We should always keep the soil moist but never soggy. They can be happy indoors so long as it’s not too hot or too sunny. We can propagate Fishtail fern by rhizomes, spores, and by division. Divide plants in spring when in active growth. March, April, May, and June are the best time to plant Fishtail ferns.

Fishtail Fern Care Summary

Origin: This species is native to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Alternative names: Nephrolepis, Fishtail sword fern
Height: Indoor Fishtail fern can reach up to 3 feet.
Soil: Use a peat-based soil mix containing materials like coir, perlite, and pine bark to improve drainage and help prevent overwatering.
Light: Fishtail fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive.
Temperature: Indoor Fishtail fern requires night temperatures of 60 degrees F. (15 c.) and daytime temperatures of 70 to 80 degrees F.(21-27 c.)
Water: Always keep the soil moist but never soggy.
Humidity: If the relative humidity drops below 50%, stand the pot on a humidity tray or use a cool-mist room humidifier.
Fertilizer: every 20 days with mineral fertilizer for indoor plants in spring and summer.
Propagation: Spores, Rhizomes, Division
Where to buy: The plant nursery-buy plants online in Bangalore.

Fishtail Fern origin

Fishtail fern was recovered and introduced by Antonio Jose Cavanilles. This species is native to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Disease problems

There are two major pests common in Fishtail fern. They are white louse scale and midrib borer. The white louse scale endangers the plants by producing light green to yellowish spots or specks that eventually turn brown on its fronds.
This plant is faced with leaf spot disease and various fungal diseases. To prevent these diseases we should avoid overwatering and spray fungicides.
Mealybugs are attached to fishtail fern more than the other small pests. If you notice any such bugs on your plant, remove thought away.