Typically found in Southeast Asia and parts of Australia,  Microsorum musifolium is native to tropical areas of southern Myanmar, Indonesia, Borneo, Philippines, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, New Guinea, Thailand, and Australia. It usually grows in very humid and shaded locations and thrives in tropical environments. It's naturally found growing in forests' floors.

Like many other ferns, this plant is epiphytic in nature. This means that, in its natural habit, the Crocodile fern has the ability to grow attached to trees or even in between rock cracks.

At first glance, the leaves will look as if they sprout directly from the base of the plant. However, they actually grow from tiny roots known as rhizoids that grow just under the surface that help the plant anchor itself.