Cyrtomium falcatum aka House Holly Fern
Taxonomy
Cyrtomium falcatum, commonly known as house holly-fern and Japanese holly fern, is a species of fern in the wood fern family Dryopteridaceae. Native to eastern Asia, it thrives in moist and stable areas such as crevices in coastal cliffs, stream banks, and rocky slopes. This evergreen fern, which can also be deciduous in colder regions, forms a tuft of leathery, pinnate fronds that can reach up to 70cm in length. Its dark glossy green leaflets are broadly sickle-shaped, giving it a distinctive appearance. With its elongated ovate shape and a maximum length of 20 inches (50 cm), the pinnate leaves of Cyrtomium falcatum make it easily recognizable. The bright green leaves have jagged edges and are supported by long thin stems. The lower part of the leaves features round sori, evenly distributed and initially bright green, but gradually darkening as they ripen. The rhizome of this fern is typically upright and scaly in texture. Cyrtomium falcatum is not only found in its natural habitat in moist places like coastal areas, rocky slopes, and deciduous forests but is also a popular choice for indoor cultivation. It thrives in containers and requires minimal care.
Common names
House Holly Fern, Japanese Holly Fern, Japanese Netvein Hollyfern, Asian Hollyfern, Holly FernHow to care for House Holly Fern
Difficulty
If you're an experienced gardener looking to push your limits, House Holly Fern will provide you with a rewarding and challenging experience.
Water
House Holly Fern should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
House Holly Fern loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the House Holly Fern prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Toxicity
House Holly Fern is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the House Holly Fern as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
House Holly Fern’s native range is E. Asia - Himalayas. Reported to be naturalised in parts of Britain.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Cyrtomium Genus
