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Braun's Holly Fern

Also known as

Braun's hollyfern and prickly shield fern

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Polystichum braunii

Genus

Polystichum

Family

Dryopteridaceae

Order

Polypodiales

How to care for Braun's Holly Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Braun's Holly Fern

Braun's Holly Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
7

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Braun's Holly Fern in your home

Braun's Holly Fern love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Braun's Holly Fern does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Braun's Holly Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Braun's Holly Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Braun's Holly Fern: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Braun's Holly Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Polystichum

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Braun's Holly Fern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

💦 Water Needs

Braun's Holly Fern is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Braun's Holly Fern requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Braun's Holly Fern is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

💩 Fertilizer

Braun's Holly Fern should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Braun's Holly Fern grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Braun's Holly Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.