Caring for a Ponytail Fern

Location

• Ponytail fern is hardy to about 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit, making it suitable for gardens in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. The plant is killed to the ground by light freezes according to the Floridata website, but the plant recovers quickly when temperatures warm. Roots may survive in USDA zone 8 to produce new foliage in the spring. To avoid scorching the delicate green leaves, plant ponytail fern in partial sunlight. In full shade, foliage will turn yellow.

Culture

• Ponytail fern is not picky about soil and is fairly drought tolerant, though it prefers a well draining soil enhanced with organic matter. Growth will be best with regular irrigation, though you should not allow the soil to become water logged or flooded. A generous layer of mulch will help to retain moisture in the soil. Divide every two to three years and pinch back stems to create a vigorous, tidier plant.

Indoor Care

• The resilient ponytail fern makes an excellent house plant. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and unlike many warm weather plants, does not require high humidity. Indoor plants will look their best when planted in a well draining, peat-based potting mixture with a hole in the bottom for drainage. Place in a location with bright, indirect light or filtered sunlight and water regularly during the growing season. Reduce watering in the winter, and keep temperatures at a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Considerations

• The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists asparagus fern, the species from which the ponytail fern is derived, as an invasive species in southern and central Florida due to its habit of disrupting native plant communities. However, the University of Florida Extension states that ponytail fern is not known to be invasive. All members of the Asparagus genus are considered toxic to domestic cats according to Monrovia. If ponytail fern starts to develop an unattractive habit, it may be cut back in the fall.