Species library › Polypodium › Polypodium alavae
Ferns Partly documented

Polypodium alavae

An epiphytic polypody of the pine-oak and cloud forests of southern Mexico and Honduras, recorded at about 1,600–2,200 m. It grows through a wet summer and endures a dry winter, so it does best with cool nights, bright shade and a drier rest.

At home, aim for
Day Cool-growingTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Dappled lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
Expects a seasonal restGrows on trees (epiphyte)

Where it grows wild

Grows on trunks, branches and mossy rocks in montane pine-oak and cloud forest, where the rhizome creeps through moss; built from the records and the genus.

Recorded at 1,588–2,231 m, median about 1,700 m.

Mexico GulfMexico NortheastMexico SoutheastMexico SouthwestHonduras

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates
✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it
✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light
✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it
✓ Substrate and airflow
✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.