- 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 |
- SKU:
- Fern_Crocodile-HP
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.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
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