Arching fronds grown from a creeping rhizome make polypodiums the most architectural of ferns. The rhizome is covered with furry orange- brown or white scales and has a diameter of about 1 in. (2.5 cm). The fronds are mid-green, turning brown with age. These are attractive ferns grown in a conservatory border, or when smaller, in a hanging basket.
P. aureum from tropical America, is a large creeping fern, known as hare’s foot fern with long, arching fronds up to 39 x 20 in. (1 m x 50 cm), which are deeply cut. P. vulgare, also known as common polypody, comes from North America, Europe, Africa, and East Asia, and is a smaller fern, with delicate fronds up to 12 x 6 in. (30 x 15 cm). They can be entire or toothed with a 4 in. (10 cm) stalk.
Size: See individual species.
Light: Indirect sunlight, partial shade.
Temperature: Normal room.
Moisture: Keep thoroughly moist a l year round.
Feeding: Standard liquid fertilizer once a month from spring to fall.
Propagation: Divide in spring, or sow spores.
Special needs: Reduce watering if the temperature is low in winter, mist once a day if it rises in summer.