Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Polypodium vulgare (Common polypody fern)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Polypodium vulgare
Other names
Common polypody fern
Genus
Polypodium Polypodium
Species
P. vulgare - P. vulgare is a fern forming alternating, triangular-shaped fronds divided all the way back to the central stem.
Polypodium vulgare is: Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Creeping, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green, Green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
Propagation methods
Division
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Polypodium vulgare (Common polypody fern) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in any cool, moist, lightly shaded site. If in full sun give plenty of moisture. Will also tolerant dry shade, but water regularly in their first season and mulch well.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Polypodium vulgare
Other names
Common polypody fern
Genus
Polypodium Polypodium
Species
P. vulgare - P. vulgare is a fern forming alternating, triangular-shaped fronds divided all the way back to the central stem.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump-forming, Creeping, Spreading
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green, Green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary.
Propagation methods
Division
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Polypodium vulgare (Common polypody fern) will reach a height of 0.1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Rock, Underplanting, Foliage only
Cultivation
Plant in any cool, moist, lightly shaded site. If in full sun give plenty of moisture. Will also tolerant dry shade, but water regularly in their first season and mulch well.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade
Aspect
North, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
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, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
COMPANION PLANTS
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
The RHS Back to Nature Garden, designed by The Duchess of Cambridge and award-winning landscape architects Andree Davies and Adam White of Davies White Landscape Architects, is based in a woodland… read more
Designed by Mark Gregory. The highlight of the 2019 Welcome to Yorkshire show garden will be an authentically built canal with flowing water and genuine canal lock gates. read more
By garden designer Stephen Hall. The garden is inspired by the Nordic landscape and the profound relationship between nature and wellbeing. read more
By garden designer and landscaper Mark Gregory. The stunning Yorkshire Dales is the inspiration for Welcome to Yorkshire’s 2018 RHS Chelsea show-garden. read more
My beautiful Oxfordshire garden was revitalised with the help of Mark Griffiths. Sheltered by old walls and high fences, the garden that surrounds my North Oxford home covers about 750 square metres. read more
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
Polypodium vulgare
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There are 2 active discussions about Polypodium vulgare (Common polypody fern)
View all discussions