Low Maintenance, With Few Pests
Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
Average Watering Needs
Mature Height 5 feet
Pet Safe

The Crocodile Fern is an easy-care fern that is also a little out of the ordinary. The broad fronds are highly textured, similar to that of a crocodile’s skin. Also known as Microsorum musifolium, this fern grows as an understory plant in the jungles of Southeast Asia and Australia and thrives on high humidity. Gardeners in zones 10-11 can add Crocodile Fern to their outdoor displays year-round.

Best Locations For Growing Crocodile Fern

The high humidity of bathrooms and kitchens suits Crocodile Fern. Regular misting with water or using a humidifier will help keep this plant hydrated in a room with drier conditions.

Crocodile Fern Sunlight Requirements

Indirect bright or medium light levels keep the fronds of Crocodile Fern deep green and growing wide.

Crocodile Fern Care

Without high humidity, this fern will start to have brown, crispy edges on the fronds. To provide enough moisture, grow it in a humid room such as a bathroom or kitchen. Use a cool mist humidifier in the room during the winter when the air is drier, or mist the fronds lightly each day with water. Keep this fern away from drafts and cold air from exposed windows in the winter. Crocodile Fern prefers temperatures between 68-80 degrees F. Pot Crocodile Fern in a loose, free draining, and nutrient-rich indoor potting soil. Ensure that the container you use has drainage at the bottom and that the plant does not sit in a saucerful of water for long periods.

Watering Crocodile Fern

Crocodile Fern requires consistently moist soil with time to dry between waterings. When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, thoroughly soak the container and wait for the excess to drain. Discard any water sitting in the saucer after 10-20 minutes. Watering will need to be done regularly throughout the year.

Feeding Crocodile fern

A liquid houseplant fertilizer can be applied once a month during active growth in the spring and summer. Use the fertilizer at half the recommended strength to keep from burning the fronds.

Crocodile Fern Information

Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light

Care Requirements: Easy

Watering Requirements: Average - Keep lightly moist. When the top 2 inches of the soil dries out.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Air Purifier: Moderate

Habit: Clumping

Growth Rate: Slow

Mature Height: 5 feet

Mature Spread: 16 inches

Flowering: No

Flower Color(s): None

Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage

Fragrant: No

Foliage Type:

Foliage Color(s): Green

Foliage Description: Broad and Light Green Leaves

Temperature: 65° - 75°F (18° - 24°C)

Humidity: Above Average to High (60% - 100%)

Common Name: Crocodile Fern

Other Name(s): Alligator Fern

Scientific Name: Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus'

Plant Type: House Plant

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

For more detailed information, please click here.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations

Plant Shipping

Time of Order:

Summer Shipping

If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.

We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.

It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.

Crocodile Fern