OK
In progress indicator
< Back to previous page

Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort fern)

Intermediate
skill rating
2 hours care
per year
0.75m
Max height
0.75m
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity

Plant details

Botanical name

Asplenium trichomanes

Other names

Maidenhair spleenwort fern, Waterwort, Common spleenwort, English maidenhair, Green spleenwort

Genus

Asplenium Asplenium

Species

A. trichomanes - A. trichomanes is a small spleenwort fern forming long and narrow fronds, gradually tapering towards the tip.


Asplenium trichomanes is: Semi evergreen

Habit

Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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 methods

Division, Spores

Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions

Where to grow

Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort fern) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.75m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Roof terrace, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers, Underplanting, Architectural, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Bright mid-day sun can cause damage, and can be sensitive to fungicides. If planted inside under glass, plant in a mix of equal parts loam, coarse leaf mould, sharp sand and charcoal. Water moder

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered, Exposed

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

Companion plants

Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.

We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.

Botanical name

Asplenium trichomanes

Other names

Maidenhair spleenwort fern, Waterwort, Common spleenwort, English maidenhair, Green spleenwort

Genus

Asplenium Asplenium

Species

A. trichomanes - A. trichomanes is a small spleenwort fern forming long and narrow fronds, gradually tapering towards the tip.

Foliage

Semi evergreen

Habit

Arching, Clump-forming, Spreading

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

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 methods

Division, Spores

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort fern) will reach a height of 0.75m and a spread of 0.75m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Roof terrace, City, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Containers, Underplanting, Architectural, Coastal, Low Maintenance, Foliage only

Cultivation

Plant outdoors in humus-rich, moist, but well-drained soil. Bright mid-day sun can cause damage, and can be sensitive to fungicides. If planted inside under glass, plant in a mix of equal parts loam, coarse leaf mould, sharp sand and charcoal. Water moder

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Shade

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Sheltered, Exposed

Hardiness

Hardy (H4)

In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.

In progress indicator
Full size image
In progress indicator
Caption

Caption

Cancel and close this form
Upload your own photo
In progress indicator
This plant likes... Garden match
Soil types: Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) Tell us...
Soil drainage: Moist but well-drained, Well-drained Tell us...
Soil pH: Alkaline, Neutral Tell us...
Light: Partial Shade, Full Shade Tell us...
Aspect: North, South, East, West Tell us...
Exposure: Sheltered, Exposed Tell us...
Hardiness: Hardy (H4) Tell us...

COMPANION PLANTS

Hart's tongue ferns contrast well with more feathery ferns, that toleratedry shade.

We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.

DISCUSS THIS PLANT

Asplenium trichomanes

Although this is an evergreen fern, when the fronds decay the leaflets fall off leaving the wiry hair-like midrib for up to a year, hence the English name. Few invertebrates are associated with… read more

There is 1 active discussion about Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort fern)

View all discussions

GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT

My garden
My garden
Sarah Hammond Ward
My Garden
My Garden
Brian Higginson
My Garden
My Garden
Robert Goddard
The Drive
The Drive
Sarah & Peter
Fifty Shades Of Green and other colours!

ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT

The Poetry Lover’s Garden

By garden designer Fiona Cadwallader. Gardens have inspired great poems throughout history, from Homer’s Garden of Alcinous to Milton’s Paradise Lost, through to Elizabeth… read more

All The Worlds A Stage Garden

2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare share a rich history together so where better to celebrate Shakespeare’s talent as… read more

Zoflora: Outstanding Natural Beauty Garden

Leading disinfectant brand Zoflora, will be revealing a unique garden design dedicated to Yorkshire at this Summer’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.  read more

M & G Garden

Cleve West to use memory of Ancient Oak Woodland as Inspiration for M&G at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2016. read more

L’Occitane Garden

Following the success of the gold medal winning L'Occitane Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year, L'Occitane is delighted to return to Chelsea once again in 2016 with a new show garden to… read more

View all 19 articles


Report content or feedback to Shoot

To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.

Find out more about plant lists here

or Login


To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.

or Login

In progress indicator
Note

Note

You are adding a note to: ?

Cancel

Our awards:
Follow us

Get expert info and easy to follow monthly care reminders for the plants in your garden by signing up for a free Shoot account.