Scientific Name Humata tyermannii (Tyerman's buried plant)
Common Name White Rabbit's Foot, Silver Hare's Foot, Bear's Paw Fern, Rabbit Foot Fern, Tokiwa Shinobu
Origin Native either to Taiwan and China, to Fiji or to the Canary Islands
Description Bring the woodland into your home with the Rabbit Foot Fern! This plant is the epitome of greenery, and its iconic fronds will brighten any space. But the feature that gives it its name are the rhizomes which grow out of the bottom of the plant and look like fluffy white rabbits' feet! This is due to their growing habit in the wild, where they grow on trees and have their roots in the air- so don't try and bury these roots. Give this plant a warm, humid space mimicking its rainforest home and it will reward you with lush green foliage and funky fluffy roots Light Likes bright, indirect light; this plant is more to the forest floor so tolerates a bit of shade better than direct light which risks scorching or drying out the plant. Water Keep the soil moist but not soggy; like most ferns your Rabbit's Foot will appreciate a moist environment, but it does not like to have soggy feet so make sure the soil isn't a puddle!
Humidity Likes high humidity; make sure it's away from heaters and air conditioning units and introduce a humidity tray if it's struggling.
Soil Use a moisture-retentive, well-draining mix to keep this thirsty plant happy but not too soggy. Repot every two years in spring as the plant grows.
Food Feed every four waters in the growing season; reduce or stop feeding in winter. Temperature Ideal temperature is between 18-24°C; make sure it does not get colder than 10°C in winter.
Pet-safe No, this plant is toxic to pets and small humans.
Sprouts Top Tips The key with this fern is moisture levels; the plant likes humid and moist conditions, but take care not to overdo it as this can result in rotting roots. Look out for dark brown root rhizomes (a sign of overwatering) or patches of dry, brown leaves (a sign of underwatering).
We have launched our first (hopefully monthly) ‘Letter from the Founder’ blog post. I talk about a string of bad luck, from water gushing from various ceilings in my life to a break-in, and also reflect on the incredible work we have done to win two awards earlier this year. I look ahead to what’s coming up in August, projects we are working on with our clients, and some thoughts about the rest of the year. And I give an insight into my brain, why I am who I am and why I’m so thankful for all the opportunities, passion and excitement that running Sprouts has given me as a founder and as a woman.