Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'

Where wild relatives of Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii' grow naturally

Nephrolepis ferns come from warm, humid tropical and subtropical regions. In nature, they grow on forest floors, between rocks and sometimes on tree trunks.

Indoor care for Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'

• Watering a small pot: The compact root ball can dry quickly. Check the surface regularly. Water thoroughly when it starts to dry but the mix below is still slightly moist, then let the pot drain before returning it to the outer pot.
• Light: Bright, filtered light keeps the short fronds neat. A little morning sun is fine. Soften strong midday sun with a light curtain.
• Warmth and humidity: Keep it in a warm room with steady conditions. In dry air, use a humidifier or place it in a bright bathroom. Leave space around the crown for gentle air movement.
• Potting mix: Combine peat-free compost, perlite and fine bark to make a loose mix that holds some moisture. Use a container with drainage holes.
• Feeding: Fresh fronds are the cue to feed. Use a balanced liquid fertiliser, starting with the lowest dose the label recommends for indoor plants. Apply it as often as directed. Plain water is enough between feeds. Stop feeding when growth slows.
• Runners and pruning: Separate rooted young ferns from the runners and plant them individually. Cut dry fronds off where they meet the crown, using clean scissors.
• Repotting and division: Move the fern to a pot one size larger when roots fill the current pot. If the potting mix becomes compact before the root system fills the container, replace it and keep using the same pot. Each division should have healthy roots and several green fronds.

Problems and fixes for Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii'

• Yellow, limp fronds while the potting mix stays wet: Dense potting mix or poor drainage can damage the roots. Take the fern out of its pot. Use clean scissors to remove every root that feels soft or collapses under gentle pressure. Once only firm roots remain, discard the damaged material and replant in fresh, loose potting mix.
• Crisp edges or sudden leaflet loss: Feel the potting mix first. If the root ball is dry, water it thoroughly and let the pot drain. If the mix is moist, move the fern away from radiators or hot air and raise the room humidity. A pale deposit around the pot rim, especially after regular feeding, can signal built-up salts. Rinse the root ball thoroughly with plain water and stop feeding for now.
• Soft tissue in the centre or spreading wet patches: Water or dead material trapped in the crown can cause rot. Remove every soft area with a clean tool until the remaining crown feels firm. Dispose of the cut material and clear loose debris from the centre. Water at the base from then on.
• Fine webbing, tiny pale dots, cottony patches or small brown shells: Spider mites, mealybugs or scale insects may be present. Move the fern away from nearby houseplants, wash off visible pests and identify the insect or mite. Choose a treatment labelled for the identified pest and suitable for indoor ferns. Follow the dose and timing on the label.

Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’ is non-toxic to cats and dogs

• This plant is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
• Its effects on people are unclear, so keep it away from young children who may chew it.
• Eating a large amount can still cause an upset stomach. Seek medical or veterinary advice if symptoms continue.

What does Nephrolepis cordifolia mean, and who first published it?

Greek nephros, kidney, and lepis, scale, form Nephrolepis and refer to the small kidney-shaped coverings over the spore-bearing patches. Cordifolia means heart-leaved.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Nephrolepis in 1834 in Genera Filicum (Vienna), plate 3.

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Polypodium cordifolium in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 1089. Carl Bořivoj Presl later placed it in Nephrolepis as Nephrolepis cordifolia in 1836 in Tentamen Pteridographiae, page 79.