How to Grow a Centipede Fern? A Detailed Guide to Planting Methods

Centipede fern is widely distributed in the subtropical and tropical regions of China. It is a terrestrial fern with certain medicinal value. So how do you grow it?

1. Propagation

(1) Division propagation: This can be done throughout the year, with May to June being the best time. At this time the temperature is stable. Gently peel apart the mother plant, separate the creeping stems, and plant 2-3 clusters of creeping stems per 10 cm pot. For a 15 cm hanging pot, use 3-5 clusters of creeping stems. After planting, place in a semi-shaded spot and water to keep moist. When new leaves sprout from the rhizome, move it under a shade net for care.

(2) Spore propagation: Choose leaf mold or peat soil plus brick crumbs as the sowing substrate, put it into a sowing container, evenly sprinkle the collected mature spores of the Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) into the sowing pot, mist to keep the soil surface moist. After sowing, sporophytes grow out in 50-60 days.

(3) Tissue culture propagation: Terminal creeping stems, rhizome tips, aerial roots and spores are commonly used as explants. After 60 days of culture, clustered seedlings are produced. By dividing and planting the clustered seedlings, complete test-tube plantlets can be obtained.

2. Planting

First place broken tiles and broken bricks at the bottom of the pot, then fill with loose, fertile, well-aerated neutral or slightly acidic soil, plant the propagated young seedlings into it, and cover with fine soil.

3. Water and Fertilizer

During the growing season, fertilize once a month. Watering should be determined according to the dryness and moisture of the soil. In addition, remove dead and yellow leaves at any time, and carry out foliar feeding and pruning promptly. In summer, in addition to watering, the centipede fern also needs to be misted several times a day. The leaves of the centipede fern are light green and glossy, full of charm, and it can be grown as a household potted plant.

4. Temperature and Light

The centipede fern likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment. The suitable growing temperature is 16-24°C from March to September, and 13-16°C from September to March of the following year. In winter, the temperature for the centipede fern should not be lower than 8°C, but it can withstand short periods of low temperature down to 0°C. The centipede fern can also tolerate high temperatures above 30°C, but excessive dryness should be avoided, as it affects its growth.