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golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum)

Phlebodium aureum is a perennial epiphytic fern with a creeping rhizome, though it may occasionally grow terrestrially or on rocks and is commonly cultivated as an indoor foliage plant. It is evergreen, but in regions with a pronounced dry season it may be semi-evergreen or briefly deciduous.

LightPart sun, shade, or a bright position out of direct sunlight is suitable; light that is too weak or too strong may limit or damage growth.
WaterKeep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged, watering thoroughly as it begins to dry; slight drying between waterings can be tolerated.
HumidityIt is generally reported to prefer high humidity and need good airflow, with a high humidity need.
TemperatureA minimum around 5 °C is reported, but sources are few. Hardiness information places it in USDA zones and an RHS hardiness category, and it is described as tender. It is generally reported to be frost tender and should b
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Overview

Phlebodium aureum is a perennial epiphytic fern with a creeping rhizome, though it may occasionally grow terrestrially or on rocks and is commonly cultivated as an indoor foliage plant. It is evergreen, but in regions with a pronounced dry season it may be semi-evergreen or briefly deciduous.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range, which is described as spanning tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas from southernmost Florida and Georgia through Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean to South America, with southern limits reported in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. It grows mainly as an epiphyte in tropical rainforest canopies, on trunks and palms, but may also grow terrestrially or on moss-covered rocks, occurring in forests, cloud forests and some wetlands. It occurs in tropical to subtropical climates, favors humid forest environments and has low frost tolerance.

Characteristics

Mature plants reach 50–152.4 cm in height, while their spread is reported at about 10–50 cm, although sources are few. Sources differ in describing the large, deeply pinnatifid to pinnately divided, wavy-edged fronds, whose color ranges from bright green to blue-green or gray-green; 'Davana' is described as compact, with powdery blue-toned fronds and wavy margins. The plant has a creeping rhizome.

Light

Part sun, shade, or a bright position out of direct sunlight is suitable; light that is too weak or too strong may limit or damage growth.

Watering

Keep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged, watering thoroughly as it begins to dry; slight drying between waterings can be tolerated.

Humidity and airflow

It is generally reported to prefer high humidity and need good airflow, with a high humidity need.

Temperature and dormancy

A minimum around 5 °C is reported, but sources are few. Hardiness information places it in USDA zones and an RHS hardiness category, and it is described as tender. It is generally reported to be frost tender and should be kept above freezing.

Growing medium and mounting

A loose, organically rich, well-drained medium that retains moderate moisture is suitable; sources differ on the preferred medium reaction and type, with NC State recommending acidic conditions while RHS lists loam and neutral pH.

Propagation

Phlebodium aureum can be propagated by division, including by dividing the rhizome, while wild plants also reproduce by tiny wind-dispersed spores. The tiny spores are reported to disperse on the wind and may sometimes self-sow into pots containing other indoor plants.

Common problems

It is reported to be susceptible to spider mites, thrips, Florida fern caterpillar and fungus gnats. Sources differ on disease occurrence: crown and root rots may occur, while RHS describes the species more generally as usually having few diseases. Browning fronds are reported to be associated with insufficient air humidity, while curling may be associated with low humidity or lack of water; overly wet growing medium is associated with risk of crown and root rot. It does not tolerate prolonged or severe frost, and cold drafts and excessively low nighttime temperatures should be avoided.

Identification

Phlebodium aureum has a creeping rhizome densely covered with golden-brown scales, deeply divided fronds often colored blue-green to gray-green, and round sori arranged on either side of the pinna midribs on mature fronds. 'Davana' is distinguished by its compact form, powdery blue tone and conspicuously wavy frond margins.

Photos

Phlebodium aureum
📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 · source
Phlebodium aureum
📷 Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor · CC BY · source
Phlebodium aureum
📷 Turner Brockman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded b · CC BY-SA · source

Sources