How to Grow Kangaroo Fern
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Kangaroo Fern
Microsorum diversifolium
fernKangaroo fern is an Australian native epiphytic fern with distinctive deeply lobed fronds that resemble a kangaroo's paw, giving it its common name. It's an excellent indoor houseplant and can also be grown outdoors in mild climates, prized for its unique texture and compact growth habit. The fern develops a creeping rhizome and produces new fronds continuously when conditions are favorable.
When should you plant Kangaroo Fern in your zone?
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Example Kangaroo Fern timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Kangaroo Fern
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Kangaroo Fern
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; excellent as a year-round indoor houseplant in cooler zones
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Get my Kangaroo Fern timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
2-4 weeksNew fronds emerge slowly from the rhizome with 2-4 small, simple fronds visible
Maintain high humidity and consistent moisture. Avoid fertilizing; allow the plant to settle in. Keep in bright, indirect light.
Vegetative Growth
2-6 monthsFronds develop their characteristic deeply lobed shape and expand in size; rhizome creeps outward slowly
Provide bright indirect light and maintain 50-70% humidity. Water regularly and begin light fertilizing every 4-6 weeks with diluted fern fertilizer.
Mature Growth
OngoingFully developed kangaroo-paw-shaped fronds reach 6-12 inches long; plant spreads wider as rhizome creeps
Continue consistent watering and humidity. Fertilize monthly during growing season (spring/summer). Trim dead or damaged fronds.
Reproduction
Continuous on mature frondsSpores develop on the undersides of mature fronds in small sori (spore clusters)
No action needed. Spores can be collected for propagation by experienced growers, but vegetative division is easier.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity to 60%+ and mist regularly. Spray affected fronds with water or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested fronds.
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Isolate the plant. Remove pests with a damp cloth or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Apply neem oil or horticultural oil spray weekly.
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Remove manually with a soft brush. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap every 7-10 days until cleared.
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Allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Use yellow sticky traps. Apply mosquito dunks to soil if larvae are present.
Uses
Indoor Air Purification
HouseholdLike many ferns, kangaroo fern helps purify indoor air by removing toxins and improving humidity levels in the home. Its lush fronds contribute to a healthier indoor environment. [source]
Decorative Houseplant & Terrarium Feature
CraftIts unique paw-shaped fronds make it an attractive focal point for interior décor, terrariums, and plant collections. It's particularly prized by fern enthusiasts and plant collectors. [source]
Epiphytic Habitat
WildlifeIn outdoor tropical/subtropical gardens, kangaroo fern can support beneficial insects and small arthropods, mimicking its natural epiphytic habitat on tree branches. [source]
Humidity & Ambiance
HouseholdGrowing kangaroo fern adds moisture to indoor spaces, which is beneficial for skin, respiratory health, and houseplant ecosystems. Its presence creates a tropical atmosphere. [source]
Harvest Tips
Kangaroo fern is not harvested in the traditional sense. Prune off dead, yellowed, or damaged fronds at the base using clean scissors to encourage new growth and maintain shape. Spores can be collected from the undersides of mature fronds for propagation, though division is easier.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Kangaroo fern gets its name from the distinctive shape of its fronds, which resemble a kangaroo's hind paw—a uniquely Australian appearance that makes it instantly recognizable.
- 🌱 Unlike many ferns, kangaroo fern is an epiphyte in nature, meaning it grows on the branches and trunks of trees rather than on the forest floor, which is why it prefers well-draining, airy soil mixes.
- 🌱 Kangaroo fern can be propagated by simply dividing the rhizome; each piece with at least one growing point will develop into a new plant, making it an easy fern for beginners to propagate.
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