Mahogany Fern Care Instructions

Taxonomic Name: Didymochlaena truncatula `Mahogany'

Polypody Fern Family

Nonflowering Herbaceous Plant

The mahogany fern is one of the handsomest ferns to hit the market in a long time. When the plant is young, the leaves are merely divided into two ranks of leaflets. Later, as the plant matures, the leaves become doubly compound, with the leaflets arranged along branching, reddish brown leafstalks. The mahogany fern will tolerate the normal home environment as long as a few basic conditions are met.

How to Care for Your Plant:

LIGHT: Bright indirect sunlight is best; such as near an unobstructed northern or eastern window. Your plant may also tolerate bright artificial lighting, at least for a few weeks.

WATERING: Water as soon as the soil surface feels dry to the touch. At least a little water should come out of the pot's bottom drainage holes, but the plant should not stand in saucer water for more than thirty minutes.  

FEEDING: Apply plant food only when the plant is growing actively, and then do so sparingly. Use a high-nitrogen (high first number) houseplant fertilizer applied at half the concentration and frequency listed in the product directions.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Like many other ferns, mahogany ferns need high humidity. Place a water-filled pebble tray under your plant, or place the plant near a room humidifier.