Christella subpubescens, commonly known as the Downy Christella, is a semi-evergreen fern native to the moist deciduous and evergreen forests of tropical Asia, including India and Southeast Asia. It thrives in the understory of these forests, where it enjoys the dappled sunlight and high humidity. This fern typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and has a similar spread, with a delicate and airy appearance. The fronds are light green with a downy texture, especially on the undersides, and they can add a soft texture to garden compositions.

Downy Christella is valued for its lush foliage and adaptability to a range of indoor and outdoor shade conditions, making it a popular choice for shaded gardens, as a ground cover, or in containers. It prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate a variety of soil types, from clay to loam. While it does best in part shade to full shade, it is relatively easy to maintain and can be a good choice for novice gardeners. However, it should be noted that this fern can spread rapidly via spores and may become invasive outside its native range, so it is important to monitor its growth and ensure it does not escape cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0