Cranfillia fluviatilis
Cranfillia fluviatilis · Blechnaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant cranfillia fluviatilis: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, light to medium green
- Type
- Aquatic or semi-aquatic fern
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Growth
- Moderate to fast in humid conditions
- Hardiness
- Moderate, temperate to tropical climate
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical river zones
- Soil type
- Rich, moist, slightly acidic
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist, without stagnant waterlogging. Prefer regular, moderate watering rather than one large amount. Soft or lightly filtered water is ideal; avoid excessive lime.
Light and Exposure
Place the fern in bright, indirect light that is filtered. It tolerates partial shade but remains more vigorous with sufficient brightness. Avoid direct burning sun that dries out the delicate foliage.
Substrate and Drainage
Use a rich mixture containing leaf mold, peat or coconut fiber and perlite. The fern appreciates light, well-aerated soil that retains moisture without suffocating the roots.
Fertilizer
Apply diluted balanced or slightly nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 15 to 20 days during the growing season (spring-summer). In winter, space out applications or stop them. Too strong a dose can burn young fronds.
Pruning and Cleaning
Regularly remove yellow, damaged or dead fronds to encourage new leaf emergence. Simple pinching is usually enough; ferns are not severely pruned.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, favored by overly dry air. Regular misting of the foliage strengthens resistance. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent fungal diseases in case of stagnant humidity.
Did you know?
Cranfillia fluviatilis is a fern associated with tropical river ecosystems, where it thrives in the heart of humid zones bordering waterways. Like all Blechnaceae, it reproduces by spores rather than seeds, an ancestral mechanism dating back over 350 million years, long before the appearance of flowers.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Hard FernStruthiopteris spicant
- Lomaria discolorLomaria discolor
- Parablechnum novae-zelandiaeParablechnum novae-zelandiae
- Netted chain fernLorinseria areolata
- Oceaniopteris cartilagineaOceaniopteris cartilaginea
- Hammock fernBlechnum occidentale
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.