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Nephrolepis ‘Sabai Nang’

COMMON NAMES

Sabai Nang Fern

Nephrolepis (neh-FROL-eh-piss) - from the Greek for kidney and scale, in reference to the sorus membrane

'Sabai Nang' - cultivar name; documentation as to exact status of scientific name has not yet been found

GROUP 

Fern

FAMILY 

Some taxonomists put in Lomariopsidaceae, some put in Dryopteridaceae, some put in Nephrolepidaceae and still others put in Polypodiaceae.

ORIGIN

Malaysia

DESCRIPTION

Sabai Nang Fern is a fern that averages 3 to 4 feet in height with a comparable spread. Its habit of growth is upright and symmetrical, spreading with rhizomes and stolons. It has a fast growth rate.

Leaves are evergreen, pinnate with alternately arranged leaflets that are an average of 3 inches long and ¾ inch wide, up to 3 feet long and dark green in color.

HARDINESS

It is hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11. Frost will cause damage.

LIGHT

Part sun/full shade

SALT

Poor Salt Spray Tolerance – it’s risky for this plant to be put in a coastal area as it has minimal tolerance. It would require multiple layers of protection such as in a greenhouse, indoors, or in a small enclosed area such as a courtyard beyond the dunes.

SOIL

It will grow on a wide variety of soils in a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.

WATERING

It has moderate drought tolerance once established, so some water is needed for survival in dry spells. It appreciates staying moist, but not soggy to keep it healthier and looking better.

PROPAGATION

Division of clumps; spores

PRUNING

Pruning is basically limited to removal of dead fronds.

FERTILIZING

It has no special fertilizer needs. Unless a soil test suggests otherwise, a slow-release balanced analysis fertilizer applied per the product label will work.

PESTS

Scale, Mealybugs, Slugs, Snails, Whiteflies, Spider Mites, Darkwinged Fungus Gnat, Greenhouse Thrips

DISEASES

None of significance

DEER

Unknown, but relatives vary from resistant to mildly susceptible

There are very few totally “deer-proof” plants. There are also, relatively speaking, few plants that are considered a preferred food supply of deer. Most plants fall in the big gap between. One of the biggest variables is the available preferred food supply in a given area. If their preferred food is scarce, they will munch on most anything.

OTHER

USES

Shade gardens, borders, mass planting, containers, groundcover

TOXICITY

A search of California Poison Control, ASPCA, Texas A&M University, Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System, University of Wisconsin, Poisonous Houseplants and Ornamentals - Merck Vet Manual, Purdue University - Guide to Toxic Plants in Forages, Poisonous Plants of the Southeastern United States - Alabama Cooperative Extension, Florida Poison Control, University of California, North Carolina State University, and The Cat Fanciers Association did not show this plant on any of their lists.

California Poison Control and The University of California do list Nephrolepis spp. as non-toxic.

ASPCA does list Nephrolepis exaltata, a close relative, as non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

The Cat Fanciers Association lists “Evergreen Ferns” as poisonous to cats.