Asplenium parvati - Mother Fern

This verdant fern is overflowing with bright green, vibrant foliage. Its glossy leaves and striking fronds will bring a little piece of the forest into your home wherever you put it - though it will prefer a more moist spot, away from the harsh rays of direct sunlight. This is a hybrid variety which has been bred to be more forgiving in the home, so it isn't as dramatic about average household humidity levels as many other ferns. If you're looking for a fern that can leave your bathroom, this may be the one! The interesting shape and texture of its leaves also helps it stand out from other Aspleniums, whilst providing that bushy undergrowth feel of a Boston Fern. Choose this fern for its flexibility and keep it for its gorgeous foliage.

Scientific Name
Asplenium dimorphum x difforme 'Parvati' (spleenwort, two-formed species crossed with unusually formed species, cultivar: Parvati, meaning 'of the mountains')

This plant is a hybrid between two species of Asplenium, A. dimorphum and A. difforme. Both are accepted species.

Common Name
Mother Fern

Origin
Native to Australia, though this species is a hybrid of two others making it more forgiving in an indoor environment.

Light
Your Mother Fern will thrive best in moderately bright, indirect light. This means it can deal with some shade, but not too much!

Water
This Fern likes its soil to be consistently moist but not soggy! Make sure its thirsty roots are always satisfied but never sat in a pool.

Humidity
This Fern is more forgiving than most with humidity. It will still do best in a humid environment like a bathroom, but will also tolerate more average levels of humidity. Make sure it is still nowhere near an operating radiator!

Soil
Use a well-draining soil mix, for example with added bark, to allow plenty of air to get to the epiphytic roots. Add bark or an Orchid blend to soil designed for Ferns for the perfect mix. Repot every few years in spring as the plant grows.

Food
Feed every four weeks with water in the growing season, reducing to every six in autumn and winter.

Temperature
Temperatures between 18-24°C are ideal for this plant. Make sure it doesn't drop lower than 12°C over winter!

Pet-safe
Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!

Sprouts Top Tips
Water into the soil directly to prevent extra water sitting on the leaf and causing issues. If the potting mix is drying out slowly, you can poke the soil with a chopstick or similar sized stick to allow more oxygen in and mimic the movement of insects.