Fern
Crocodile Fern
Microsorum musifolium
Varieties We Carry
StandardMicrosorum musifolium
Sizes & Pricing
4 inFrom$7.95
8 inFrom$19.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightPart Shade, Full Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size2-3 feet × 2-3 feet
About Crocodile Fern
Microsorum musifolium, crocodile fern, is a tropical epiphytic fern from Southeast Asia and Australia with broad, lance-shaped fronds featuring a distinctive reptile-scale surface texture created by the raised vein network. Grown primarily as a novelty foliage plant, it is popular in humid terrariums and as a low-light indoor specimen. Starting at $7.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Well-drained, Humus-rich
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter. May need protection below 25°F.
Care essentials
Light
Grow Crocodile Fern in bright indirect light or partial to full shade; avoid direct sun, which scorches the fronds. In NE Florida, a shaded patio, north-facing exposure, or bright indoor spot with filtered light is ideal.
Water
Keep the root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged — this epiphytic fern needs humidity above all else. In NE Florida's warm seasons, check soil moisture every few days and mist foliage regularly; reduce watering slightly in cooler months.
Soil & Fertilizer
Plant in a chunky, humus-rich, well-draining epiphyte mix (orchid bark, perlite, coco coir) rather than dense garden soil. Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength; do not over-fertilize.
Similar needs
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Common questions
Is Crocodile Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Crocodile Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-3 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.