Phlebodium aureum

RHS Plant Profile

golden polypody

Other common names

hare's foot fern, rabbit's foot fern

Synonyms

Chrysopteris aureum
Polypodium aureum

Ferns Houseplants

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A tender fern grown as a houseplant with wavy blue-green fronds appearing from creeping, hairy rhizomes (modified stems). The fronds are lobed and can grow up to 40cm

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Polypodiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Phlebodium are evergreen ferns with creeping rhizomes clothed in scales, bearing pinnate fronds at intervals
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Tropical America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Best grown out of direct sunlight and away from cold drafts or direct heat sources. Water generously once you notice the pot drying out, continuing until water runs out of drainage holes at the bottom. See Epiphytic Ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free