Gleichenia dicarpa
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (0) · fruit (0) · bark (1) · habit (1) · other (0)

Gleichenia dicarpa

Swamp umbrella fern · Tangle fern

Tier 2 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: full_shade
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
5–7
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
27
Observations
42

Description

Source: leafsnap

Gleichenia dicarpa, commonly known as pouched coral fern or tangle fern, is a small fern of the family Gleicheniaceae found in eastern Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand. It forms tangled thickets in wet places such as swamps and riverbanks.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The swamp umbrella fern is well-suited to moist environments and thrives in high humidity and wet conditions. To maintain its moisture, water it twice a week. Being an evergreen fern, it also benefits from regular misting to replicate its tropical habitat.

☀️ Light Full shade

The swamp umbrella fern usually does best in filtered light, though it can also grow in somewhat denser shade, reflecting its native swamp environment. Because it doesn't require full sun, it copes with relatively lower light levels. Still, both excessive and insufficient light can impede the plant's growth.

Ideal: Full shade
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

Swamp umbrella fern prospers in forest thickets. It is very sensitive to temperature and humidity; high heat, dry conditions, and strong sunlight can all distress the Swamp umbrella fern. In summer it needs adequate shade and a moist, high-humidity setting. Generally it does not need special care in winter, but an extended winter drought can still kill the plant.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 5-7
Soil pH: 5-7
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The swamp umbrella fern flourishes in wet, boggy environments and is known for its distinctive umbrella-like fronds. For best results, prune the plant in early spring, removing any dead or overcrowded fronds with sterilized tools. This helps maintain healthy growth and enhances the plant's appearance. After pruning, water the fern adequately to support its recovery.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Fern
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Gleichenia
Family
Gleicheniaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
0.91 m to 2.13 m
Mature Spread
0.91 m to 2.13 m
Leaf Color
Light Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Planting Time
Spring
Native Area
Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, Malaysia

Tags (4)

Common Names (2)

en Swamp umbrella fern
en Tangle fern