Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Fantasy'

Background of Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Fantasy'

‘Green Fantasy’ is a compact form of Nephrolepis exaltata grown for its finely divided fronds and sturdy crown.

In tropical and subtropical America, the species grows in damp woodland and floodplains. It can root in soil or grow on trunks and palms.

How to care for Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Fantasy'

• Humidity and terrariums: Humid room air helps the small frond sections stay soft. A nearby humidifier can help in a dry room. In a terrarium, provide regular ventilation and keep the pot above standing water.
• Watering: Dense foliage can make the potting mix hard to reach. Check moisture near the edge and centre, then water the whole root ball when the surface begins to dry.
• Light: Bright, filtered light keeps the growth compact. Use a light curtain when a strong beam reaches the foliage through glass.
• Warmth: Keep the fern at a steady room temperature, away from cold draughts and sudden changes.
• Potting mix and drainage: Combine peat-free compost with perlite and small pieces of bark. The blend holds some moisture and lets extra water drain away.
• Feeding: Opening coils show that the plant is actively growing. Feed at this stage with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Use the lowest dose the label lists for indoor plants, then feed again as directed. Between feeds, give plain water. Pause feeding as growth slows.
• Cleaning: Lift loose dry leaflets out of the centre and remove completely dry fronds at the base of the crown with clean shears.
• Repotting and propagation: When roots fill the container, move up one pot size. If water runs straight through the old mix while roots still have space, replace the mix and keep the pot. Divide a well-rooted clump or separate young plants once they have rooted on the runners.

Solving problems with Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Fantasy'

• One side develops pale, papery patches: Strong sun through a window can scorch the fronds facing the glass. Move the plant out of direct sun. Cut off a frond when most of it has become dry or brown.
• New growth becomes pale, stretched or widely spaced: Low light can weaken the crown. Bring the fern nearer a bright window with filtered light. If the light is already suitable, feel the mix in several places. Water slowly until the root ball is evenly moist if some areas are dry. If the mix remains wet for several days, wait longer before the next watering and clear any blocked drainage holes. Later growth should be firmer and more closely spaced.
• Frond edges turn crisp and brown: Check the potting mix first. Water thoroughly if the root ball is dry. If the root ball already feels moist, improve the room humidity and move the fern away from radiators or hot air vents. A pale deposit on the potting-mix surface may mean salts have built up. Rinse the mix with plain water and let the pot drain.
• The centre becomes yellow, soft or sour-smelling: Potting mix that stays soaked or water sitting in the crown can cause rot. Take the plant out of its pot and use a clean tool to remove all soft tissue until the remaining roots and crown feel firm. Discard every rotten piece and repot in fresh, loose mix.
• Webbing, silvery scars, white clusters or brown bumps that stay attached: Spider mites, thrips, mealybugs or scale insects may be hiding among the folds. Move the plant away from other houseplants and inspect the inner crown carefully. Once the pest is identified, choose a treatment labelled for that pest and suitable for indoor ferns. Follow the dose and timing on the label.

Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Green Fantasy’ 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.

About the name Nephrolepis exaltata

Greek nephros, kidney, and lepis, scale, form Nephrolepis and refer to the small kidney-shaped coverings over the spore-bearing patches. Exaltata means elevated or very tall.

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

Carl Linnaeus first described it as Polypodium exaltatum in 1759 in Systema Naturae, tenth edition, volume 2, page 1326. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Nephrolepis as Nephrolepis exaltata in 1834 in Genera Filicum (Vienna), plate 3.