Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern

Pyrrosia hastata, the Felt Fern, is a creeping, epiphytic or lithophytic fern native to East Asia. It has a long, creeping rhizome covered in brown scales, producing simple, entire, leathery fronds that are hastate (spear-shaped with basal lobes) to ovate. The fronds are a deep green above, and densely covered underneath in a thick, felt-like mat of cinnamon-brown to golden hairs (scales). The contrast is striking.

Plant Profile

Felt Fern grows on rocks, cliffs, and tree trunks in humid, shaded environments. In cultivation, it needs a well-drained, organic-rich medium (epiphytic mix), high humidity, and shade. The felted underside is its glory. It is drought-tolerant once established due to the indumentum. A beautiful, textural fern for mounting or rock gardens in mild climates (USDA 9+).