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Photo by Sebright Gardens

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Buy Asplenium trichomanes

Also Known As

Common Spleenwort
Maidenhair Spleenwort

Plant type

fern

size

H: 3"-16"
W: 3"-16"

planting zones

2a-9b

3.5" | $15

Ships USPS, based on weight/location

Fewer than 15 at Secret Garden Growers

Mature Division--Bare Root | $10

Ships as soon as new growth is hardened off

Fewer than 10 at Sebright Gardens

More Options

Asplenium trichomanes plant details

Asplenium trichomanes is an evergreen fern with green foliage. Grows well with bright shade - shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, gritty, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Asplenium trichomanes

Plant type: fern
Plant family: aspleniaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 IN - 16 IN - wide, 3 IN - 16 IN - tall
Uses: container plant, larger quantity available, rock garden, woodland garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Asplenium trichomanes

USDA Zones: 2a - 9b
Sun exposure: bright shade - shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: deer, humidity and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty, rich, rocky and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a darling little native fern that looks delicate but it is actually incredibly tough. It has pure black stipes and bright green, oval shaped pinnae forming short fronds 4-8 inches long from a central rosette or clump of rosettes. It loves to grow in dry shade including in rock crevices, in stone walls, and between rocks as well as in normal garden situations with good drainage. Photo: Wikipedia.

By: Phoenix Perennials and Specialty Plants Ltd.

This mini fern with tiny evergreen leaves on black wire stems resembles a miniature sword fern at 8”. Native to the west coast, this is a tough little guy that will thrive even in dry shade once established. Takes light to deep shade and most soils (avoid heavy water logged sites). You have room for lots of these in your woodland garden!

By: Secret Garden Growers

Asplenium trichomanes, also called Maidenhair Spleenwort, features dainty, erect fronds with small, round, dark green leaflets growing from wiry, black stems. Evergreen perennial. Deer resistant. Ferns thrive in neutral to acidic, loose, richly organic soil. Excellent for mass plantings, rock gardens, containers, in woodlands and naturalized landscapes.

By: Little Prince of Oregon

Its delicate beauty belies the tough grit of this 6-inch tall and neatly clumping evergreen fern with fetching black stems and pale to medium green fronds with small pinnae or leaflets. Minimum temperature: -40°F

By: Dancing Oaks Nursery

Maidenhair spleenwort – This pretty little fern has upright fronds to 4-6”. This plant grows in every continent but Antarctica. Grows well in good drainage of a rock garden or wall.

By: Gossler Farms

Evergreen, dark puple-black stipe, once-pinnate, 1/2" wide, clumping. Zone 4-8. 4"-7" arching, PNW, shade-part sun, moist, well drained

By: Keeping it Green Nursery

Pefect rock garden or foreground showpeice fern with dark stems & 20 to 30 pair of round to oblong matte green pinnae. Plant in partial to moderate shade.

By: Sebright Gardens

One of the loveliest & easiest of the spleenworts, this tiny (4-12") lover of shaded rock crevices has 1/2" wide once pinnate fronds with a" lovely delicate tracery for fernery or rock garden. PSh/M-D/GDr/lime

By: Forestfarm

A small, low growing fern that has adapted to a wide range of conditions. Found in nearly all of the temperate forests of the world. It has adapted to the acidic soils in the Pacific Northwest to the limestone-rich areas elsewhere. Great addition to the fernery.

By: Bloom River Gardens

Maidenhair Spleenwort. I love common names. I must dig out our 15th century Herbal and read up on how to properly decoct this sweet little fern for afflicting humors of the spleen. Or I can just grow it in a gritty well-drained shaded rock garden and enjoy its evergreen delicacy.