Actiniopteris

Family. Actiniopteris.

Origin. Tropics of Africa and Asia.

Description. Actiniopteris are small plants, terrestrial ferns or lithophytes with creeping surface rhizomes. This species is found in hot, dry places, growing at the base of rocks and in crevices, in the shade. Typically in deciduous forests with high temperatures and low precipitation, ranging from 500 m to 1300 m above sea level. The leaf blades are thin, 15 - 45 mm. long, deeply dissected, fan-shaped. In general, the plant’s appearance resembles a fan palm. The leaves are located on tall petioles and their color can vary from bright green to silver-gray.

Height. About 70 cm.

Actiniopteris - home care

Temperature conditions

Regular room temperature is suitable, the minimum permissible is 15° C.

Lighting

Year-round in a bright to semi-shady place. 

Plant care

Actiniopteris does not have any special care requirements and looks very attractive.

Substrate

Peat mixture, leaf, humus substrate with neutral pH, drain well. 

Feeding

Every four weeks, ferns in the house are slightly fertilized during the warm season.

Purpose

Ideal for a “garden in a bottle”, decorative foliage plant.

Flowering time

Ferns do not bloom, since these plants reproduce by spores or vegetatively (by fronds, rhizomes, buds, and so on).

Air humidity

Actiniopteris tolerates dry air quite well, unlike its fellow ferns. Do not allow water to get on the leaves.

Soil moisture

Maintain even humidity with good drainage. Water with soft water, making sure the soil dries out between waterings.  For irrigation, use softened water at room temperature - for example, bottled, rain, melted water. To reduce hardness, you can add regular baking soda to tap water - a teaspoon per 2 liters of water. 

Transfer

As needed in the spring.

Reproduction

Propagated in spring by spores or careful division, maintain uniform humidity for young plants using transparent plastic caps.

Pests and diseases

Of the harmful insects, the most common one is the spider mite.