Also known as Felt Fern · 15 gardener saves
Pyrrosia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Pyrrosia, the genus most gardeners know as felt fern. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Pyrrosia varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedJapanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Corymbifera'
#2 most savedJapanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Thrombosis'
#3 most savedJapanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Limon'
Polydactyla Fern
Pyrrosia polydactyla
Arrowhead Felt Fern
Pyrrosia hastata
Japanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Cuspidata'
Japanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua
Kei Kan Japanese Felt Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Kei Kan'
Variegated Tongue Fern
Pyrrosia lingua 'Ogon Nishiki'
How to grow Pyrrosia
What the Pyrrosia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Pyrrosia year
- FertilizeMarch89% of varieties
Apply a weak, balanced liquid fertilizer only if growth is sluggish
- Spring CleanupFebruary89% of varieties
Remove any old, brown, or damaged fronds before new growth starts
- PlantMarch, April, September and October67% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall; ensure good drainage and humus-rich soil.
- DivideMarch and September67% of varieties
Divide dense clumps for propagation or rejuvenation every 5+ years.
- MulchMarch56% of varieties
Apply leaf mold or compost to maintain soil moisture and protect rhizomes.
- Check for PestsApril–July44% of varieties
Monitor for slugs and snails, especially on new spring growth.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Keep soil moist but not soggy 🌱
- Mist regularly to boost humidity
- Provide indirect, filtered light
- Mist regularly to increase humidity
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct sunlight ❌
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves ❌
- Refrain from over-fertilizing
What goes wrong with Pyrrosia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Mealybugs | White cottony clusters on fronds | Apply horticultural oil or wipe with alcohol-soaked cotton |
| Scale Insects | Sticky residue and yellowing fronds | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Fungal Leaf Spots | Spotted or discolored fronds | Improve air circulation and remove affected leaves |
Making more Pyrrosia
Spores
- Collect spores from mature fronds in late fall
- Sprinkle spores onto moist, sterile substrate
- Maintain high humidity and indirect light for 6 weeks
- Keep soil moist during incubation
Division
- Carefully remove plant from pot
- Divide root clumps with clean knife
- Plant divisions in moist, well-drained soil
- Keep in shaded area for 2 weeks to establish
Pyrrosia questions
How many types of Pyrrosia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Pyrrosia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 15 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Pyrrosia grow in?
Across its varieties, Pyrrosia covers USDA Zones 6–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Pyrrosia bloom?
Most Pyrrosia varieties bloom in early spring, late fall, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Pyrrosia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Pyrrosia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Pyrrosia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
