🌿 Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Whitmannii’ Care Sheet
Overview
Type: Tropical evergreen fern 🌴
Growth habit: Compact clumping fern with finely divided, frilly fronds 💚
Lifespan: Long-lived with consistent care ⏳
Best for: Hanging baskets, bright bathrooms, open terrariums, and tabletops 🌟
☀️ Light
Ideal: Bright, indirect light 🪟
Tolerates: Light shade 🌤️
Avoid: Harsh direct sun — scorches and dries fronds 🔥
🌡️ Temperature & Humidity
Temperature: 18–28°C (65–82°F) ✅
Humidity: 60%+ is ideal 💧 — thrives in humid spots like kitchens or bathrooms
Tip: Use a pebble tray or humidifier if indoor air is dry
💧 Watering
Soil moisture: Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
Check top 2 cm: If it feels dry, water 💦
Winter: Slightly reduce watering 💤
Tip: Use rainwater or distilled water if your tap water is hard — ferns dislike salt buildup ⚠️
🪴 Soil / Potting
Ideal mix: Light, airy, and moisture-retentive 🌱
Example: 50% peat/coco coir, 30% perlite, 20% compost
Drainage: Ensure pot has holes — hates “wet feet” 🚫
🍽️ Feeding
Spring–Summer: Balanced liquid fertilizer at ¼ strength every 4–6 weeks 🌱
Winter: Stop fertilizing ❄️
✂️ Pruning & Maintenance
Remove dead, brown, or yellow fronds regularly ✂️
Rotate the pot every few weeks for even growth 🔄
Repot yearly or every second year to refresh the mix and avoid compacted soil
🌱 Propagation
Division: Best method — divide clumps during spring repotting 🌿
Offsets (runners): Remove and pot separately for new plants
⚠️ Common Issues
Problem 😬
Cause ❓
Fix 🛠️
Brown tips
Low humidity or inconsistent watering 🌵
Mist, increase humidity
Yellow fronds
Overwatering or poor drainage 💧
Check soil and drainage
Sparse, weak growth
Low light or old soil 🌑
Move to brighter light, refresh soil
Pests (scale, spider mites)
Dry air or stress 🐜
Isolate, wipe fronds, treat with insecticidal soap
🪟 Terrarium & Indoor Suitability
Open terrarium: ✅ Excellent — loves humidity and airflow
Closed terrarium: ⚠️ Possible, but needs air circulation to prevent rot
Indoor baskets or kokedama: 🌱 Perfect — keep soil moist and humidity high