Polypodiaceae
common finger-fern: Best for Low Light
Grammitis billardierei
This fern requires very high humidity and consistent moisture. It is best suited for terrariums or specialized fern houses where cool, damp conditions can be maintained.
Every 3 days
Low light
10° - 24°C
70% - 95%
Categories
What is common finger-fern?
common finger-fern (Grammitis billardierei) is a hard-care plant from the Polypodiaceae family. Grammitis billardierei, commonly known as the common finger-fern, is a small epiphytic or lithophytic fern native to Australia and New Zealand. It features simple, narrow, leathery fronds that grow in tufts. It is typically found in cool, moist rainforests growing on mossy tree trunks or rocks.
common finger-fern grows up to 15cm, spread of 20cm, watering every 3 days, 10°C – 24°C, 70–95% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike easy-care plants, common finger-fern demands constant attention to humidity and light. Not recommended for beginners. Unlike many popular species, common finger-fern is safe to keep around pets. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 7 days.
How to Care for common finger-fern?
TLDR: common finger-fern needs Low light, watering every 3 days, and temperatures between 10-24°C with 70-95% humidity.
How Often Should You Water common finger-fern?
Use distilled or rainwater only. The plant should remain constantly moist but never waterlogged.
How Much Light Does common finger-fern Need?
Keep in deep shade; direct sunlight will quickly scorch and kill the delicate fronds.
What Is the Best Soil for common finger-fern?
Use a mix of chopped sphagnum moss, tree fern fiber, and perlite to mimic its natural epiphytic habitat.
What Pot Should You Use for common finger-fern?
Best grown on a moss-covered slab or in a shallow orchid basket with sphagnum moss.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 60 days
Misting
Every 1 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is common finger-fern and Where Does It Come From?
Grammitis billardierei, commonly known as the common finger-fern, is a small epiphytic or lithophytic fern native to Australia and New Zealand. It features simple, narrow, leathery fronds that grow in tufts. It is typically found in cool, moist rainforests growing on mossy tree trunks or rocks.
How to Propagate common finger-fern?
Spore Propagation
- Sterilization of the growth medium is critical to prevent mold.
- 1 Collect Spores
Place a mature frond with brown spore cases on a piece of white paper until the dust-like spores drop.
- 2 Sow Spores
Scatter spores over sterilized, moist peat or sphagnum moss in a sealed container.
- 3 Maintain Humidity
Keep the container in a warm, dimly lit spot and never let the medium dry out.
Materials needed:
Rhizome Division
- Handle the roots very gently as they are extremely fragile.
- 1 Separate Rhizomes
Carefully divide the creeping rhizome, ensuring each section has several fronds and roots.
- 2 Mount or Pot
Secure the division to a mossy branch or into a moist, fibrous mix.
Materials needed:
How Big Does common finger-fern Grow?
TLDR: common finger-fern can reach up to 15cm tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
15cm
Spread
20cm
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
Meaning & Symbolism
Represents hidden beauty and the resilience of life in damp, shaded environments.
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticky false asphodel | Hard | Bright indirect | 1d | ✓ |
| Creeping bentgrass | Hard | Direct sun | 3d | ✓ |
| Bulbous Adder's-tongue | Hard | Partial shade | 4d | ✓ |
| Crystal Anthurium | Hard | Partial shade | 7d | ⚠️ |
