What is Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Hemionitis arifolia, commonly known as heartleaf or simply hardy evergreen fern, is one of many species that belong to the genus Hemionitis. This low-maintenance perennial plant thrives when planted in rich soil with high amounts of organic materials and sufficient drainage.
Heartleaf is a plant that does well in tropical climates and is often used as a ground cover in flower beds and containers. It can be grown indoors in a bright window but needs direct sunlight for six to eight hours per day.
Appearance and characteristics
The Heartleaf plant is a tall, skinny, brown plant that supports itself by having many roots come out of the bottom. It has small leaves on its side stems, with big green heart-shaped leaves in the middle.
This plant is tall with long stalks growing out of it with smaller stalks coming off them which have leaves on them. The leaves come in different sizes and are all different shapes.
They also have dark green leaves with deep veins reaching from the base of the leaf to its lobes. The bottom lobe is distinctively notched in a v-shape, while the upper one has a heart shape.
Quick summary
Botanical Plant name: Hemionitis arifol
Native to: Southeast Asia
Care: bright, indirect sunlight and enough moisture. A warm place with 60-80 degrees
Size: 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm long)
Common problems: Southern blight, root rot, powdery mildew, and botrytis.
Toxicity: Not poisonous to people and pets
Plant inspiration tip: looking fora viney plant, then check out the viney Satin pothos.
How to care for Heart leaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Heartleaf fern is a low-maintenance plant but needs proper care to ensure that it thrives as a houseplant. Here’s how to take care of it.
Sunlight
Like many other houseplants, Heartleaf ferns do best when they receive about four to five hours of bright indirect sunlight each day. If the fern is not getting enough sunlight, the plant may lose some of its lush green colors and become more yellow-green.
The leaves will also be smaller in size, which makes them look less healthy. On the other hand, too much sun exposure can cause the heart leaf’s leaflets to curl up.
Watering
Heartleaf fern needs good amounts of water but cannot tolerate poorly oxygenated and polluted water. Prefers high humidity, but not soggy soil; rich soil mixed with extra peat works best for heart leaf fern. Therefore in a week, it needs 1-2 inches of water based on the growth rate and type of soil.
Humidity & Temperature
It is part of the Marantaceae family, which are tropical plants that require temperatures of about 60-80 degrees F. (15-29 C). however, it needs lower temperatures at night. The humidity needs to be as high as 60% because this is a tropical plant.
Cleaning
It’s not a must to clean your Heart leaf plant unless it has dead leaves or has started yellowing.
Fertilizing & Soil
Always apply fertilizer to your houseplant once a month. Put ¼ spoon of fertilizer for each gallon of water. Overfeeding it can cause great damage.
Repotting
To repot heart leaf ferns, first separate the plant into its three main roots. Remove any dead or dying roots.
Next, remove the soil from the pot and root ball. Now is a good time to trim away any dead, brown fronds. If there are healthy buds, leave it to grow, as this will make a new plant.
Repot the fern in fresh planting mix with good drainage. Water thoroughly and place in a bright location.
Heartleaf ferns will need to be repotted regularly, as the most important factor is good air circulation around the roots.
Plant recommendation: need a tropical plant to give your home more life, then check out the tropical Calathea lancifolia.
How and when to prune Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Pruning is a term used to describe the process of removing old or damaged plant parts. While all plants require some intervention after planting, some need more than others. Pruning is typically needed in the following circumstances:
- A heartleaf fern may start to droop. In this case, the base doesn’t have enough moisture. Ensure that there is water in the plant’s base, and it should right itself within a few hours.
- If a heart leaf fern is in the process of growing too tall, you should be able to cut it back to the desired height.
- The browning of the leaves. This occurs when the base has no moisture. This can easily be done with pruning shears or scissors.
Problems with Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Heartleaf ferns are unusually susceptible to root rot compared to other ferns. The spores of root rot are easily blown into the soil in which these ferns grow, and can be transported to new locations on contaminated clothing or tools used to move the plant.
This plant also faces problems like dehydration, pests, and diseases. Some of these pests and diseases include southern blight, botrytis, powdery mildew, some insects like whiteflies and weevils.
Try to avoid dehydration by using a humidifier to keep your fern moist. An insecticide soap can remove pests and diseases.
How to propagate Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)
Heartleaf ferns use their spores to spread. However, you can easily propagate them by division. When the plant becomes dense, uproot it then divide it into small portions. Plant each plant alone and allow each of them to settle at their pace.
Common FAQs
How much light does a Heartleaf fern need?
Heartleaf ferns need to receive at least five hours of bright and indirect sunlight.
What is so special about Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia)?
The answer lies in its great adaptability, beauty, and usefulness. Heartleaf fern is a very beautiful plant with its leaves arranged in the form of a heart on separate long stalks which are reddish-brown to dark green.
Are Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia) good indoor plants?
Yes. It is an amazing houseplant, that should get the right amount of light and moisture.
Can a Heartleaf fern (Hemionitis arifolia) grow in low light?
Yes. Heartleaf fern may grow in low light since it prefers indirect sunlight.
Plant recommendation tip: looking to give your home more life, then check out the evergreen Silver Queen.
Summary
The heartleaf fern is a beautiful plant that can be used in landscaping or as an indoor houseplant. Plant it near sunny windows, and watch the leaves turn green with health. It’s hard to go wrong when you choose this hearty little plant for your home. Give it some love by watering regularly. It should grow well even without any special care at all.