Rabbit's Foot Fern

Soft, lacy foliage with the cutest little “feet” spilling over the pot.

The Rabbit’s Foot Fern, botanically known as Davallia fejeensis, is anything but your average fern. Delicate, feathery green fronds grow above fuzzy creeping rhizomes that eventually trail over the sides of the planter — resembling tiny rabbit’s feet and giving this tropical houseplant its charming name.

Those unusual rhizomes make the plant especially beautiful as it matures. Let them creep naturally across the soil and over the edge of a hanging basket, shelf, or planter for a soft, collected look that gets more interesting with time.

Even better, Rabbit’s Foot Fern is pet-friendly and somewhat more tolerant of average household humidity than many traditional ferns, making it an approachable choice for bringing that lush fern look indoors.

Why You’ll Love It

• Those adorable fuzzy rhizomes
  Soft, furry stems creep across the soil and eventually spill over the planter, creating the signature “rabbit’s feet” that make this fern so unique.
• Beautiful lacy foliage
  Finely divided green fronds add softness, texture, and movement without feeling visually heavy.
• Made for hanging planters
  Its creeping growth habit looks especially beautiful once the fuzzy rhizomes begin cascading over the sides of the pot.
• Pet-friendly
  Rabbit’s Foot Fern is considered non-toxic to both cats and dogs.
• A little more forgiving than some ferns
  It still appreciates humidity, but Rabbit’s Foot Fern can tolerate somewhat lower humidity than many other fern varieties.

Best For

Bathrooms • Bedrooms • Home offices • Shelving • Hanging planters • Pet-friendly homes • Small spaces • Fern lovers

Care at a Glance

Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
Water: Keep the soil lightly moist, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings
Humidity: Prefers moderate to high humidity but can adapt to average indoor conditions
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly to intermediate
Pet Friendly: Yes

Styling Tip

This is one plant you’ll want to let spill over the pot.

Style your Rabbit’s Foot Fern in a hanging planter, on a plant stand, or near the edge of a shelf where its fuzzy rhizomes can grow freely instead of being hidden.

A simple ceramic, terracotta, stone, or earthy planter keeps the focus on the contrast between those quirky little “feet” and the delicate green foliage.

For a layered plant display, pair it with plants that have broad or glossy leaves. The contrast makes the fern’s fine texture feel even softer and more intentional.

Good to Know

Those fuzzy stems growing across the soil are rhizomes — and they belong above the soil rather than being buried. As the plant matures, they naturally creep across the potting mix and over the sides of the container.

Rabbit’s Foot Fern prefers lightly moist, well-draining soil. Allow roughly the top half-inch to dry before watering again rather than keeping the pot constantly saturated.

It enjoys bright, indirect light and extra humidity, but harsh direct sunlight can be too intense for its foliage.

And unlike some fussier fern varieties, Rabbit’s Foot Fern can handle somewhat lower household humidity — although a humid bathroom or a spot near other plants will certainly make it happy.

If you’re searching for a pet-friendly indoor fern with unique trailing foliage, Rabbit’s Foot Fern brings soft texture, quirky fuzzy rhizomes, and lush tropical greenery to shelves, hanging planters, and indoor spaces.