Pyrrosia piloselloides

Dragon Scale Fern, Dragon's Scale Fern, Dwarf Tongue Fern

Easy careEpiphyteNon-toxic2–5 cm

A miniature creeping fern from tropical Asia with button-like, fleshy round leaves that overlap as the rhizome — a horizontal stem — spreads along surfaces. It is an epiphyte, naturally growing on tree trunks and branches rather than in soil. In a terrarium, it does best mounted on driftwood or bark. Once established, it gradually blankets hardscape in a dense layer of green scales.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Dragon Scale Fern image

Care

Light

Indirect light(preferred)Bright indirectShade tolerant

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
18°C – 26°C

Soil

Sphagnum mix(preferred)Orchid mix

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Appearance

Growth habit

Creeping

Leaf shape

Round

Leaf texture

Leathery

Distribution

Propagation

Collect spores from mature fertile fronds and sow on moist growing medium. Needs consistently high humidity and patience — spore germination is slow and unpredictable.