Nephrolepsis exaltata

Each year I can absorb up to 500g of CO2

 

That's about enough to:

• Fill 1 football
• Drive a car for up to 1 mile
• Make 8 cups of tea

 

*rough estimate using data sourced from:

haskins.co.uk

cogo.zendesk.com

I love it humid, so make sure you give my leaves and stem a spritz of water once or twice a week during summer. You can reduce watering to every few weeks during the coldest winter months but central heating dries me out, so I’ll still be grateful for a weekly spray misting of water.

I’m originally from the floor of rain forests and swamps, where I grow in warm, humid dappled shade under the canopy of larger trees. I’m at my most happy in a warm bright spot away from cold winds. I’ll be happy indoors all year round in a bright warm room, or outside all summer provided you don’t leave me in full sun - if you do, my leaves will get scorched.

I’m not too fast growing here in the UK. Realistically, for most people, you can expect me to add maybe 5cm of height each year. Give me perfect conditions and I might reach 30cm tall and wide.

I'm in my pomp during summer, and although I’m usually grown as a houseplant, I’ll be quite happy outside during summer. I won’t like being in full baking sun all day, so find a nice dappled shady spot for me. If you leave me outside and forget me, I’ll die back with the first frost. I’m not at all cold-hardy, so you should treat me as a houseplant, and if you want to add a touch of the tropics to your summer patio or balcony, I’ll be happy outside until maybe late October.