Japanese Holly Fern
Japanese Holly Fern
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Description
Japanese holly fern has glossy, holly-like leaflets. Like other Ferns, they are sold in our Ferns collection. Most are true ferns, in families such as the polypody family (Polypodiaceae) or the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae). A few listings, sold as asparagus ferns, are not true ferns at all; NC State Extension places those in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae).
What it is: This listing is a Japanese holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum). NC State Extension describes stout, leathery, holly-like leaflets and notes it is often grown in containers. The pteris tag on this listing has been left as written.
Light: Give it a shady or dappled spot and a moist, humus-rich, well-drained mix (NC State Extension). A grow bulb helps in our dark winters if the room is gloomy.
Watering & care: Keep the mix moist; this plant does not like drought (NC State Extension). Empty any saucer so the pot does not sit in water. Root rot can follow a soggy mix.
Humidity: It is tagged as humidity tolerant (NC State Extension). Average household air plus a humidifier in winter is a good starting point.
Temperature: NC State Extension lists USDA zones 7a to 10b. That is still warmer than a typical Alberta winter, so treat it as a houseplant or a container plant you can protect from hard frost, and keep it off cold glass.
Winter indoors: In winter, keep it in your brightest frost-free window or under a grow bulb, and be careful not to overwater.
Expected indoor size: NC State Extension's dimensions table is 1 foot 5 inches to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, with dark green fronds to about 2 feet long. A dwarf selection may stay smaller, but we do not have a separate published height for a dwarf form.
Feeding: Feed lightly during the growing season with our Schultz All Purpose Plant Food, and ease off in winter.
Pets & pests: NC State Extension tags holly fern as non-toxic for cats, dogs and horses. It is still a plant, not a snack. Watch for scale, mealybugs, mites, fungal spots and Florida fern caterpillar (NC State Extension).
About your plant: Every plant is a little different. Size, fullness and leaf count vary from plant to plant and change with age and light, so we can't promise a particular frond length, fullness or colour. The options listed (4") refer to the pot or container size. They do not guarantee an exact frond length, fullness or colour. Photos show typical plants from our greenhouse, not the specific plant you will receive. The shared gallery image shows other Ferns as inspiration.
