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How to Grow Strap Fern

iNaturalist

Strap Fern

Nephrolepis cordifolia

fern

Strap fern is a tropical evergreen fern featuring long, arching fronds with small, closely-spaced leaflets that give it a feathery appearance. It is an easy-to-grow houseplant that tolerates a wide range of conditions and is popular for hanging baskets and indoor displays. This fern produces runners with tubers that can be propagated to create new plants.

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Example Strap Fern timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Strap Fern

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Strap Fern

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Strap Fern dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Bright, indirect light; tolerates low to medium light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch fronds.
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil feels dry. Prefers high humidity; mist regularly or place on a pebble tray with water.
📏
Spacing: 12-18 inches
📅
Days to maturity: Not applicable for ferns; reaches full size in 1-2 years
🌱
Planting depth: Plant with crown at soil level; do not bury the base of the fronds

Soil

Type: Well-draining peat moss-based potting soil or fern soil mix
pH: 5.5-6.5
Amendments:
Peat moss Coco coir Perlite Compost

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 10-11; best grown indoors as a houseplant in colder climates

10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

1

Young Plant

4-8 weeks

Small fronds emerge from the crown; plant is establishing roots and developing initial frond structure

Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright, indirect light and high humidity. Avoid temperature fluctuations below 50°F.

2

Vegetative Growth

2-6 months

Fronds lengthen and multiply; plant develops a fuller, bushier appearance with multiple fronds emerging from the crown

Maintain consistent moisture and humidity. Feed monthly with diluted balanced fertilizer (half-strength). Remove any yellowing or dead fronds at the base.

3

Mature Growth

Ongoing

Plant reaches full size with long, graceful fronds; may produce runners with tubers for propagation

Continue regular watering and humidity maintenance. Fertilize monthly during growing season (spring/summer). Repot every 1-2 years as needed.

4

Runner & Tuber Development

Continuous throughout growing season

Long stolons emerge from the crown, each tipped with a small tuber that can develop into a new plantlet

Encourage propagation by placing tuber tips in contact with moist soil or water. Once roots develop, sever runner and pot separately.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Pothos Philodendron Calathea Prayer Plant Begonia Fittonia

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring dry conditions Cacti Succulents Plants sensitive to high humidity

Common Pests

  • Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity and deter mites. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation occurs. Isolate affected plant.

  • Remove by hand with a soft brush and neem oil spray. Treat affected areas every 7-10 days until resolved.

  • Spray with isopropyl alcohol diluted in water or use insecticidal soap. Repeat weekly until pests are gone.

  • Prevent by avoiding overwatering and ensuring excellent drainage. Repot in fresh soil if root rot develops; trim affected roots.

Uses

🏠

Indoor Air Purification

Household

Strap fern is known to help remove airborne toxins such as formaldehyde from indoor environments, making it an excellent choice for improving indoor air quality. [source]

🎨

Decorative Houseplant

Craft

Its long, graceful, arching fronds make it ideal for hanging baskets, shelves, and plant displays, adding tropical elegance to any interior space. [source]

🦋

Habitat for Small Creatures

Wildlife

The dense foliage provides shelter and moisture retention for beneficial insects and small arthropods, supporting indoor biodiversity. [source]

Harvest Tips

Ferns are not harvested for food. Remove dead or yellowing fronds at their base to maintain plant appearance and encourage new growth. Propagate by separating tuber-tipped runners and rooting them in moist soil or water.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Strap fern is also commonly called Boston fern's cousin and has been used as a houseplant for over a century due to its resilience and ease of care.
  • 🌱 The tubers produced on runners can survive dormancy and unfavorable conditions, allowing the plant to propagate even if the mother plant is stressed.
  • 🌱 Ferns do not produce seeds or flowers; instead, they reproduce via spores on the undersides of fronds and via vegetative runners, making them ancient plants that predate flowering plants by hundreds of millions of years.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Crown Runner
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