Rasp Fern

A nice, upstanding choice growing into a dense, handsome plant with shaggy foliage.

The new (usually spring) leaves have a pink to red blush before maturing to mid green, becoming ‘raspy’ or more coarse with maturity. An Australian native that will grow outdoors in a moist, sheltered area.

Doodia media is also known as Blechnum medium

SIZE (HxW): 20-60cm x 20-60cm

I SEE THE LIGHT: Bright, indirect light is ideal. You should be able to read during the day in their position in the room without turning on a light. The occasional rotation (an easy way to remember is to do this when you water) will result in fuller growth.

I NEED A DRINK: Water fairly freely spring/summer and less in winter – roughly every other week. The fronds will turn brown if they are lacking water (you can prune them off to keep the plant tidy) remedy the situation by soaking them thoroughly in a sink/bucket (wait until the bubbles stop) then allow the pot to drain, like a phoenix they should rise again. Brown leaf tips could also be a sign they need some humidity, you can do this by sitting the pot on a saucer with rocks and water, creating a microclimate with other plants, using a humidifier, moving it to a bathroom, misting with a sprayer, or growing your plant in a terrarium. So many options!

I WILL SURVIVE: In pots or hanging baskets, choose a good quality potting mix to ensure they have the drainage they need. Choose an option with drainage holes, or be promise to be careful with watering - they don’t like to sit in boggy soils. A diluted liquid fertiliser in spring and summer will keep them happy and healthy.

Repot in spring, only as they become overcrowd in their current home, or need a refresh, ensuring you keep the crown above the soil when you replant. They resent cold draughts or heating/air con vents and won’t last long near any of these.