Leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Leatherleaf fern on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Dryopteridaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Leatherleaf fern
Rumohra adiantiformis, commonly known as the Leatherleaf Fern or Ten-day Fern, is a perennial fern with dark green, leathery fronds and an elegant, classic appearance, reminiscent of maidenhair ferns. It is highly valued for its longevity in floral arrangements and as an ornamental plant in interiors and shady gardens, adding a lush, traditional touch. It looks spectacular in hanging baskets or as ground cover in woodland settings.
Native range
South America (from southern Brazil and Argentina to Chile), Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
Care tips
This fern thrives in bright, indirect light or partial shade; avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch its fronds. Keep the substrate consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering when the top layer begins to dry out. Use a rich, well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix. A common mistake is low ambient humidity, which can lead to dry frond tips; mist regularly or place near a humidifier.
How to save a dying Leatherleaf fern
- Warning signs
- Brown tips, pale or yellow fronds, stunted growth.
- First aid
- Increase humidity, water with distilled water if dry, check drainage.
- What kills it
- Dry air and overwatering (soggy soil), or lack of indirect light.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if healthy roots and green rhizomes remain. Act fast.