Q&A for How to Grow a Rabbit Foot Fern

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  • Question
    Is 50 degrees too cold for a rabbit foot fern?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    The temperature can drop to about 50 F once in a while but your fern cannot grow in temperatures that low. Keep the temperature between 60-75 F.
  • Question
    How do I repot a rabbit foot fern without shocking or killing it?
    Community Answer
    Follow the directions in the above article. They are not very sensitive. Water it after repotting and keep it out of direct sunlight. They prefer indirect sun or filtered sunlight. Gradually adjust the plant to more light until it seems happy.
  • Question
    My rabbit foot has lost all of its leaves. I have given it some time, but they have not grown back. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Don't worry. Separate the fronds and re-pot, water good in the beginning and be sure it has indirect sunlight. They like outside better than inside.
  • Question
    What is sticky substance on rabbits foot fern fronts?
    Community Answer
    They should not be sticky. Your fern may have scale, an insect that secretes a sticky substance called honeydew. It is quite contagious to other plants and very difficult to get rid of.
  • Question
    The leaves on my rabbit foot fern have turned yellow. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You have probably over-watered. Try misting more and watering less.
  • Question
    How cold can it be outside before the rabbit foot fern needs to come inside?
    Community Answer
    These delicate ferns are difficult to grow indoors..Bring the fern indoors before frost and try to duplicate the outdoor environment the plant is accustomed to.
  • Question
    Some of the leaves have brown spots on them. Is this an issue of insects or too much sunlight?
    Community Answer
    If it is the underside, then they are spores and completely normal. Not all fronds will have spores. Follow the directions above to collect them if you desire.
  • Question
    Can my rabbit foot fern be saved if it turned brown and is dried out?
    Diane MP
    Community Answer
    If the "feet" are hard and easily snap in two, they're dead. If alive, the inside should be more bendy than brittle and it will be green under the "fur." You might have just a few like that. If so, water and lightly fertilize about every 4-7 days, depending on size of pot. Soil should be lightly moist, not wet, so good drainage is important. This fern thrives outside, but you have to bring it in when it gets in the low 30s, so perhaps all winter.
  • Question
    Would a rabbit foot fern grow well under a cloche?
    Diane MP
    Community Answer
    Do you mean to start new shoots? It's not necessary for that purpose, they start easily just pinned down and slightly nestled in to potting soil. For decorative purposes? This is really an outdoor-lover, so such a cloistered atmosphere might not do it much good.
  • Question
    How do I repot my plant if it is root bound?
    Diane MP
    Community Answer
    Water the plant until the soil feels moist. Run a long knife around the inside. Poke something through the hole in the bottom and try to loosen the soil and roots from the pot. Bang the bottom of the pot with your flat hand. If this doesn't work after some serious prodding and whacking, it might be time to break the pot! Mine has been in the same pot for 30+ years because I'm lazy.
  • Question
    Will it hurt my plant to remove the furry feet?
    Diane MP
    Community Answer
    Make sure there are plenty of feet still embedded in the soil after cutting some. It may take a couple of years for it to look decent again (fertilize regularly and fronds will start popping up). After a couple more years, it will be its long, fluffy self again, based on my own experience of doing this when I moved. Now, sometimes I have to cut a few back when they get too long.
  • Question
    My leaves are almost gone, am I watering to much? Should I cut down on watering and just mist? I water once a week a little bit.
    Diane MP
    Community Answer
    Over watering is a common way to kill any plant, but it sounds to me like you're watering too little. If it's once a week and "a little bit," then the soil isn't getting soaked. If the furry branches are still alive, give your pot a good soak once a week, add a light dose of fertilizer to the water (follow instructions on the box, there will be an amount to use for every time you water). These ferns bounce back pretty well from neglect as long as there's still life in the branches ("rabbit's feet")!
  • Question
    What type of light does a rabbit foot fern need?
    Community Answer
    Medium bright to very bright indirect light is best. However, it can tolerate low light quite well.
  • Question
    I want to plant my large potted one in the ground. Where do I start? It’s really big and completely covered with feet and leaves.
    rainbow li
    Top Answerer
    A good idea is to take the pot to where you want to plant it. Then carefully shake the pot underneath until it slides. Put it carefully from the bottom into a hole you have dug and pat the soil back gently. Try adding a bit of fertilizer to help it. Make sure you give your fern some water as well.
  • Question
    Can I replant the "furry tails" if there are no ferns on them?
    Community Answer
    If they are green inside, they are alive. you could put the cut end in some soil. Leave the furry rhizome above the soil, on top. You could try it. Usually they need 2 fronds or more to work. If they are not green inside, it is probable they are dead.
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