Polypodium pleurosorum

A small creeping polypody of the pine-oak and cloud forests of Mexico and northern Central America, typically on tree trunks, branches and mossy rocks. It grows through a very wet summer and survives a dry winter, when fronds can curl until rain returns; in cultivation it wants cool nights, bright shade and a well-aerated mount or basket.

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

Montane oak, pine-oak and cloud forest, on mossy bark and rocks. The growth form is generalised from related Mexican Polypodium species.

Recorded from 10 to 3,385 m, but most records sit near 1,500 to 2,500 m (median 1,980 m).

Mexico CentralMexico SoutheastMexico SouthwestGuatemalaEl SalvadorHondurasNicaraguaCosta Rica

🔒 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.