About
Hemionitis arifolia is a small, tender, evergreen fern often grown as a houseplant, producing tufted fronds with heart-shaped or spear-shaped, glossy, mid-green blades to 15 cm long on shiny, black stalks. A charming and distinctive fern for a warm, humid, shaded position or heated greenhouse.
About the genus
Hemionitis are small, tender evergreen ferns native to tropical Asia and America, producing heart-shaped or pinnate fronds on dark, polished stalks. Grown as houseplants and in heated greenhouse collections.
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeFerns
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
Native toTropical Asia
Care notes
CultivationGrow as a houseplant in indirect light and away from cold drafty windows or direct heat sources. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice
PruningNo pruning required, remove damaged fronds as seen
PropagationPropagate by division, or detach and pot up plantlets or bulbils
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free