Kangaroo Fern | Microsorum diversifolium | 200mm Hanging Basket

Product Description

A little Aussie native with a whole lot of personality! Meet the Kangaroo Fern, a wonderfully wild and leafy beauty with glossy green fronds that twist, turn and grow in all sorts of interesting shapes. Native to Australia and New Zealand, Microsorum diversifolium is anything but your typical fern, with its distinctive leathery foliage and naturally sprawling growth habit bringing a lovely touch of the rainforest into your home.

And those leaves? They're full of surprises! Some fronds are long and narrow, while others develop unusual lobes that resemble little kangaroo paws, giving this quirky fern its rather fitting name. With its lush, spreading foliage and creeping rhizomes, the Kangaroo Fern looks particularly gorgeous in a hanging basket, where its glossy green fronds can tumble over the edges and create a beautifully relaxed display.

The best part is that this Aussie native is generally a little tougher than many of its more delicate fern relatives. It's adaptable, relatively forgiving and happy to grow indoors or in a suitably sheltered outdoor position. Give it filtered light, a well-draining potting mix and a little moisture, and it'll reward you with plenty of gorgeous green growth. A fantastic choice for fern lovers, native plant enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates a plant with a bit of character!

Why You'll Love It

• Beautiful glossy green fronds with wonderfully varied shapes and textures
• An Australian native fern that brings a little rainforest charm indoors
• Naturally spreading and cascading growth that's perfect for hanging baskets
• Distinctive creeping rhizomes that add even more character as the plant matures
• A relatively hardy and adaptable fern that's more forgiving than many traditional varieties

The Details

• Botanical Name: Microsorum diversifolium
• Common Name: Kangaroo Fern, Kangaroo Paw Fern
• Pot Size: 200mm Hanging Basket
• Plant Type: Australian Native Evergreen Fern

Light

Prefers bright, indirect light or a gently shaded position that mimics its natural rainforest environment. Can tolerate moderate light, although growth may slow and become less vigorous.

Gentle morning sunlight is generally well tolerated, but avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the foliage. This fern can also grow outdoors in a sheltered, shaded position, provided it's protected from extreme heat and drying winds.

Watering

Allow the top layer of potting mix to begin drying between waterings, keeping the mix lightly moist without becoming constantly saturated. Water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain freely from the hanging basket.

The Kangaroo Fern is more forgiving of brief dry periods than many delicate ferns, thanks partly to its thicker, leathery foliage and creeping rhizomes. However, prolonged dryness can cause browning leaf tips and crispy fronds.

Hanging baskets can dry out faster than traditional pots, particularly during warmer weather, so check the moisture level regularly rather than relying on a fixed watering schedule.

Feeding

Feed year-round with a diluted, balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage and steady growth. Ferns are relatively light feeders, so a weaker solution applied occasionally is generally sufficient.

Adjust feeding frequency according to its growth rate, reducing applications during cooler periods when growth naturally slows. Avoid overfertilising, which can damage the roots and contribute to browning leaf tips.

Growing

Prefers a loose, airy, well-draining potting mix containing plenty of organic matter. In its natural habitat, the Kangaroo Fern can grow terrestrially amongst leaf litter or as an epiphyte on trees and rocks, so it appreciates good airflow around its roots and rhizomes.

Enjoys moderate humidity and good airflow, although established plants can adapt well to typical indoor conditions. Protect from cold draughts, heaters and excessively dry air.

Its naturally creeping rhizomes gradually spread across the surface of the potting mix and can extend over the edges of the basket. These should remain exposed rather than being buried, as covering them too deeply can encourage rot.

Remove ageing or damaged fronds at the base with clean, sharp snips to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage healthy new growth.

Pet Friendly?

Yes! Microsorum diversifolium is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a lovely option for pet-friendly households.

As with any plant, it's still best to discourage curious pets from chewing on the foliage, as eating large amounts of plant material can cause digestive upset.

Good to Know

Here's something rather clever about the Kangaroo Fern! Its botanical name, diversifolium, refers to the different shapes of its leaves. Some fronds remain long and narrow, while others develop distinctive lobes and divisions. This variation is completely natural and one of the most charming features of the plant.

You may also notice thick, fuzzy, creeping rhizomes growing along the surface of the potting mix or extending over the sides of the basket. These are specialised stems that help the fern spread and produce new fronds. They're a normal part of its growth, so there's no need to trim them off!

As the plant matures, its spreading growth habit creates a beautifully full, cascading display. If it eventually outgrows its basket, the rhizomes can be carefully divided to propagate new plants, making this a wonderfully rewarding fern to grow and share.

• We photograph as many of our plants as possible; however, some listings may occasionally use supplier images.

• As plants are living things, every plant is unique and natural variations in size, colour and fullness should be expected.

• The plant you receive may not be the exact one pictured, but we'll always hand-pick a beautiful, healthy plant we'd happily display in our own home.

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