Indoor plants

Polypodium

Family Polypodiaceae. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Australia, New Zealand, India. There are about 200 species in nature, deciduous or evergreen. Another, outdated name is Phlebodium, and in the literature it is more often referred to as polypody.

Polypodium is fairly easy to grow if you follow a proper watering regime and correctly prepare the potting mix, which differs somewhat from the soil used for other ferns, since it should be loose, light and preferably contain some coniferous (pine) soil.
Polypodium aureum (golden polypodium) - the most common species - has a thick, creeping rhizome covered with golden-brown scales. Leaves up to 60-70 cm long, borne on thin, long petioles about 50-70 cm, pinnately divided, green with a glaucous tint. There are varieties with a bluish leaf tint and with entire leaves with wavy margins.

Polypodium pustulatum - has a creeping rhizome covered with brown scales. Fronds are pinnately divided, dark green, with an uneven, pustulate surface.

Temperature: Polypodium aureum is a warmth-loving fern and in winter is kept at about 18-20°C, Polypodium pustulatum is a fern for cool rooms — it is kept in winter at 12-14°C. At other times of the year normal room temperature.

Light: The location for Polypodium should be fairly bright but shaded from direct sunlight; light partial shade is acceptable.

Watering: Water only with decanted (standing) water free of lime. Water plentifully in spring and summer, moderately in winter, but the soil should remain moist at all times.

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