This moisture-loving fern adds a subtle twist to its classic fern front silhouette with the pale green variegation at the stem end of each leaf. A great addition to a terrarium setup, these ferns' colour variegation helps them stand out and adds extra interest to your miniature world. Elsewhere in your home, these ferns will do well in a bathroom or kitchen where ambient humidity will be higher. Give them plenty of moisture, including water in the soil, and not too much light (like many ferns, they are used to the forest understory and prefer indirect light) and your Leatherleaf will reward you with more of its unusual foliage.
Scientific Name
Rumohra adiantiformis ‘Variegata’ (Ruhmohr's plant, shaped like the moisture-wicking plant (maidenhair fern), cultivar: variegated)
Synonyms: Lastrea adiantiformis, Dryopteris adiantiformis, Polypodium adiantiforme, Polystichum adiantiforme
This species has been published about under so many different names over the past two centuries, but the current name has been accepted for a while and was first published in a 1934 paper.
Common Name(s)
Leather Fern, Leatherleaf Fern
Origin
This species is native to a wide range of tropical and subtropical areas across South & Central America, Southern Africa, and Oceania. It grows in wet tropical habitats.
Light
Thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause scorching and damage to the leaves.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Only allow the top layer of soil to dry between waters for this moisture-loving plant.
Humidity
Prefers high humidity levels. This fern will thrive best in humid environments like a bathroom or kitchen, in a terrarium, or with a pebble tray. It can adapt to average household humidity but will thrive best with extra moisture in the air.
Soil
Grows well in a rich, well-draining potting mix. A mix designed for ferns with coir, perlite and sand in it will work best here. Repot every few years in spring as the plant grows.
Food
Feed every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn) with a diluted balanced liquid fertiliser. Pause feeding during the winter months.
Temperature
Prefers temperatures between 15-24°C. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 10°C and keep away from sudden cold draughts.
Pet-safe
Yes, non-toxic to pets and humans.
Sprouts Top Tips
To keep the fronds lush and vibrant, regularly remove any dead or yellowing leaves. Rotate the plant periodically for even growth, and consider grouping it with other plants - especially in a terrarium - to maintain a higher humidity microclimate.
Did You Know?
The Leatherleaf Fern has been used for decades in floral arrangements because of its resilience and decorative fronds.
