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Asplenium rhizophyllum (Walking fern)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.3m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Asplenium rhizophyllum
Other names
Camptosorus rhizophyllus, Walking fern, Walking leaf fern, Walking spleenwort
Genus
Asplenium Asplenium
Species
A. rhizophyllum - A. rhizophyllum is a terrestrial, deciduous to semi-evergreen fern with red-flushed stems bearing tapered, triangular, lance-shaped, or linear, mid-green leaves, heart-shaped at the base.
Asplenium rhizophyllum is: Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Sometimes affected by rust in damp winters.
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation
Sow spores at 15C as soon as ripe. Remove and pot up rooted plantlets.
Propagation methods
Pot up sprouting plantlets, Spores
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Where to grow
Asplenium rhizophyllum (Walking fern) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist, alkaline soil in shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Frond tips will root in contact with moist ground.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.
Botanical name
Asplenium rhizophyllum
Other names
Camptosorus rhizophyllus, Walking fern, Walking leaf fern, Walking spleenwort
Genus
Asplenium Asplenium
Species
A. rhizophyllum - A. rhizophyllum is a terrestrial, deciduous to semi-evergreen fern with red-flushed stems bearing tapered, triangular, lance-shaped, or linear, mid-green leaves, heart-shaped at the base.
Native to
North America
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Diseases
Sometimes affected by rust in damp winters.
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds should be removed.
Propagation
Sow spores at 15C as soon as ripe. Remove and pot up rooted plantlets.
Propagation methods
Pot up sprouting plantlets, Spores
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Asplenium rhizophyllum (Walking fern) will reach a height of 0.3m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Banks and Slopes, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Ground Cover, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in humus-rich, moist, alkaline soil in shade. Water regularly in dry periods. Frond tips will root in contact with moist ground.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.
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