Heart Fern Plant Information

The sweet heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia) is a dainty dwarf fern with bright green leaves on dark stems. Heart leaf ferns were first identified in 1859. They are native to Southeast Asia.

It is a delicate dwarf fern that can also grow on trees. This fern is not only a beautiful addition to your fern collection but also has potential benefits in treating diabetes.

Still, more research is required on this; early Asian cultures used heart leaf to treat diabetes.

The fern has dark green, heart-shaped fronds that measure approximately 2 to 3 inches (8 to 8 cm). The fern grows to 6-8 inches (15-20cm) and is borne on black stems.

Dimorphic leaves are those that are both sterile or fertile. Sterile fronds can be heart-shaped on a 2.5 to 4 inch (5-10cm) stalk. The fertile fronds will be shaped like an arrowhead with a thicker stalk.

These fern fronds don’t look like the typical fern leaves. Heart fern leaves are thick, leathery, and slightly waxy. It reproduces from spores in spring, unlike other ferns.

Heart Fern Care

The care of heart ferns is difficult because this fern can only survive in areas with high humidity and warm temperatures.

If your area has climactic outdoor conditions similar to those described above, heart fern might thrive in an area outside. However, for most people, the fern can be grown in a terrarium, atrium, or shaded area in a greenhouse.

The temperature should be between 60-85 degrees F. (13-29 C.). Nighttime temperatures should be lower than daytime ones. A gravel-filled drainage tray underneath the fern can increase the humidity.

The heart fern requires well-draining soil with a high level of humus and fertileness. Mixture of aquarium charcoal, sand, humus and garden soil is recommended.

The ferns do not require a lot of fertilizer. They only need to be fed once per month with a water-soluble fertilizer that has been diluted in half. Bright, indirect sunlight is required for the heart fern houseplant.

The plant will rot if it gets too dry. Soft water is best. You can let the hard water, or tap water, sit overnight to remove any harsh chemicals. Then you can use it the next day. Scale, mealybugs and aphids are all possible in heart fern.

These pests can be removed by hand, rather than using a pesticide. However, neem oils is an organic and effective option. Heart fern is an easy-to-care for and delightful addition to any fern collection.