Heart Fern (Hemionitis arifolia)

The Heart Fern (Hemionitis arifolia) is a charming tropical houseplant named for its adorable heart-shaped leaves and unique growth habit. Its thick, leathery fronds have a soft, matte texture and appear to hover above the soil on delicate, dark brown to almost black stems that have a wiry, architectural look. This compact fern adds a whimsical, woodland feel to any space and is a beautiful choice for terrariums, plant shelves, or smaller areas where you want to add a touch of lush greenery.

Fun Fact: The Heart Fern is considered a “true fern,” but unlike most ferns, its heart-shaped leaves grow individually from underground rhizomes rather than along a traditional fern frond.
Light: Bright, indirect light. It can tolerate lower light conditions but grows best with consistent filtered light.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Heart Ferns do not like to dry out completely and will appreciate consistent moisture.
Soil: A rich, well-draining soil mix that retains moisture, such as a mix designed for ferns or tropical plants.
Bloom: Does not produce flowers. Like other ferns, it reproduces through spores found on the underside of mature leaves.
Propagation: Propagated by dividing the rhizomes when repotting. Spores can also be used for propagation, though this method is much slower.