How to grow the Davana Fern
With outstanding blue green foliage that has a soft wavy look Phlebodium aurem ‘Davana’ is related to the ‘Blue Star Fern’.
Then leaves are large, ruffled margins and divided. This is plant that achieves its best leaf colour as it ages, and its well worth the wait.
From sub tropical to tropical rain forest areas of South America, the Davana Fern is a new release, it makes an excellent indoor plant and is easy care.
Growing Tips for Phlebodium Davana
Moisture and Light along with temperature are the main factors for growing theDavana Fern
- Light
This is a fern that requires good filtered or indirect light to get its best foliage colour. Growing it indoors requires bright light, you can place it in a position where it gets 3 – 4 hours of gentle morning sun.
Hot afternoon sun will quickly cause leaf burn. - Watering
In the right potting mix, the Davana fern prefers a wet/dry cycle of watering. So water well and then allow the soil to dry a little before watering again.
The soil should not be allowed to dry right out, however constant wet soil will cause problems.
Frequency of watering depends on the potting mix as well as the temperatures the fern is exposed to.
Generally watering once a week will be sufficient, however this does depend on the pot, the potting mix and the position.
Best watered so the foliage remains dry, and wait until the soil begins to dry a little between waterings.
Generally drier and less humid conditions than many other indoor plants will suit this tough little fern. - Humidity
Avoid misting the fronds indoors to help prevent fungal disease. You can sit the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. however never in water. - Temperature
Indoors temperatures work well 18 – 24 C is a comfortable daytime range with nighttime drops down to around 10c. Avoid cold draughts, heating ducts and abrupt temperature changes. - Humidity
Avoid misting the fronds indoors to help prevent fungal disease. You can sit the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and water. however never in water. - Potting mix
A general purpose indoor potting mix with a little added perlite or other drainage material (15%) should be suitable. - Fertiliser
A liquid indoor plant fertiliser applied as recommended will be suitable. Do not over fertilise. Seaweed products are good for root development and overall plant health, however granular slow release fertilisers such as Osmocote are perhaps easier.
Problems
- Very low humidity , hard tap water and a build up of salts from fertiliser will tend to inhibit good growth.
- Growing the plant near heating or cooling ducts can reduce humidity too much, so avoid this