This library and any plant lists generated from it reflect plants we’ve carried or could obtain over the past 12–18 months, not our current inventory or availability.

“Fire Wise” plants are not fireproof. These plants, when maintained properly, have a higher fire resistance reducing fire danger. This list is built on the recommendations of local governments and the Diablo Firesafe Council

Plant Library
fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern

Davallia trichomanoides

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Squirrel's Foot Fern (Davallia trichomanoides) at East Bay Nursery

Squirrel's Foot Fern

Squirrel's Foot Fern

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  18 inches

Spread:  3 feet

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  9b

Other Names:  Black Rabbit's Foot Fern

Description:

Elegant, lacy fronds create a lush mound of foliage; develops interesting fuzzy rhizomes that hang over the sides of containers, and must be misted to avoid drying out; a great house or patio plant

Ornamental Features

Squirrel's Foot Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. Its attractive glossy ferny pinnately compound leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year.

Landscape Attributes

Squirrel's Foot Fern is an herbaceous evergreen fern with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Spreading

Squirrel's Foot Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • General Garden Use
  • Container Planting
  • Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Squirrel's Foot Fern will grow to be about 18 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

Squirrel's Foot Fern is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. It is often used as a 'filler' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, providing a canvas of foliage against which the larger thriller plants stand out. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.

 
 
Hardiness Zone  Plant Height  Minimum Sunlight   
Characteristics
Massing  Garden  Container  Basket 
Applications
Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form 
Features & Attributes

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