Rabbit's Foot Fern

The Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis) is one of the most charming and tactilely irresistible houseplants you can own. Its finely divided, lacy fronds are beautiful on their own — but the real showstopper is what's happening at the base: thick, fuzzy silver-brown rhizomes that creep over the soil surface and spill over the rim of the pot like a cluster of tiny rabbit's feet. They're soft to the touch, completely harmless, and utterly fascinating. In a hanging basket, they dangle freely in the air, creating a display that's unlike anything else in the houseplant world.

Native to the Fiji Islands of Oceania, Davallia fejeensis is a true epiphyte — in the wild it grows anchored to tree trunks and rocky surfaces, with its rhizomes exposed to the air rather than buried in soil. That heritage gives it a natural tolerance for slightly drier conditions than most ferns, though it still appreciates consistent moisture and humidity to keep those delicate fronds looking their best. It can reach 3–4 feet in spread when mature, making it a genuinely impressive specimen in a hanging display.

🌿 Fun Facts

• The fuzzy rhizomes are covered in fine, hair-like scales that give them their soft, velvety texture — and in many cultures, the Rabbit's Foot Fern is considered a good luck charm, kept in homes for the same reason people carry a rabbit's foot.
• Davallia fejeensis is named after Fiji (Feejee in older spelling) — where it was first collected and described by Western botanists in the 19th century.
• The rhizomes are the plant's primary means of spreading in the wild — they creep outward from the central plant, anchoring to new surfaces and sending up fresh fronds as they go.

💡 Pro Tips

• Light: Bright indirect light is ideal. It tolerates medium light but grows more slowly. Avoid direct sun, which scorches the delicate fronds.
• Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Mist the fronds and rhizomes regularly — the rhizomes absorb moisture from the air as well as the soil.
• Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity. Regular misting, a pebble tray, or a bathroom spot all work well.
• Rhizomes: Never bury the fuzzy rhizomes — they need to be exposed to air. Let them roam freely over the soil and over the pot rim. They're the plant's signature feature.
• Hanging baskets: This fern was made for hanging displays. The rhizomes dangle beautifully and the lacy fronds cascade in all directions.

Perfect for: Hanging baskets, collectors, anyone who loves a plant with genuine personality, and anyone searching for a unique fern houseplant that doubles as a conversation piece.