Kangaroo Paw H/B
Location
Ancient Garden
- Common Name: Kangaroo Paw H/B
- Scientific Names: Microsorum diversifolium
- Family Name: Polypodiaceae
- Origin: Australia and New Zealand
- Height: 1 ft
- Width: 2-3 ft
- Growth: Slow
- Zone: 9-11
- Light needs: Part shade to full shade
- Salt tolerance: Low
- Soil/pH/Texture: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5)
- Moisture: Prefers a humid environment. Soil should be kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
- Drought tolerance: Low
- Pests/Diseases: Slugs and aphids may be a rare issue.
- Growing conditions: Should be grown in a warm, humid, shady place A good area for it is underneath trees, as the canopy will provide protection from direct sunlight. If grown indoors, keep it in a relatively humid area of the building with bright, indirect light; pay special attention to keeping the soil moist.
- Characteristics: Grows in a clumping habit. Fronds are a rich, shiny medium-green and are deeply lobed; they grow to be over 3 ft long at maturity. Petioles are brown. Sori, which contain spores, grow in lines on the undersides of the leaves. These sori create circular indents which can be seen on the top side of the leaves.
- Propagation: By spores as well as rhizome division
- Wildlife: Slugs and snails may occasionally eat its leaves. The large fronds provide shade for small animals.
- Designer considerations: It does very well as an indoor plant, both in pots and in hanging baskets. When grown outdoors, its large fronds create a tropical look, especially when placed near other tropical plants. It should be placed near a plant with more textured foliage to create a more even and complete look. Additionally, placing it near flowering plants can add more color, as this plant does not produce flowers.