Fern Hemionitis arifolia – Heart Leaf Fern

Description

Hemionitis arifolia – Heart Leaf Fern is a member of the Pteridaceae family and is native to Asia. This unique fern (which doesn’t look like a fern at all) has adorable heart shaped leaves on dark, almost black very fine stems. This fern stays on the small size (under a foot) and can handle low to moderate light conditions.

Heart fern’s foliage is thick, leathery, and slightly waxy. Like other ferns, it does not flower but reproduces from spores in the spring.

Because this fern is native to regions of warm temperatures and high humidity, the challenge for the gardener growing heart ferns as houseplants is in maintaining those conditions: indirect sunlight, high humidity and warm temperatures. If you reside in an area with climactic outdoor conditions that mimic those above, then heart fern may do well in an area outdoors, but for the rest of us, this little fern should grow in a terrarium or a shaded place in an atrium or greenhouse. Keep the temperature between 60-85 degrees F. (15-29 C.) with lower temps at night and high ones during the day.

Heart fern care also tells us that this evergreen perennial needs well-draining soil that is fertile, moist and humus rich. Ferns don’t need a lot of extra fertilizer, so only feed once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer diluted in half. The heart fern houseplant needs bright, indirect sunlight. Keep the plant moist, but not wet, as it is prone to rot. Ideally, you should use soft water or let hard tap water sit overnight to dissipate the harsh chemicals and then use the next day. Heart fern is also prone to scale, mealybugs and aphids. It is best to remove these by hand rather than relying on a pesticide, though neem oil is an effective and organic option. All in all, heart fern is a fairly low maintenance and thoroughly delightful addition to a fern collection or for anyone that wants a unique houseplant.