Does it need full shade?

It prefers partial shade but can tolerate more sun if the soil remains consistently moist.

Yes, it is quite adaptable to various soil types as long as it has good drainage.

Plant guide

Ebony Spleenwort.

Asplenium platyneuron

Pronounced as-PLEE-nee-um plat-ee-NOO-ron

Also known as Ebony Spleenwort

The Ebony Spleenwort is a charming native fern that gets its name from its dark, polished stems. It thrives in rocky, well drained spots and adds a lovely texture to woodland gardens. You will find it is quite adaptable to different light levels as long as it stays moist.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Fern
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 9

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for browning frond tips, which often signal that the air is too dry or the soil has dried out completely. It prefers a spot with good airflow to keep the foliage healthy.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels slightly dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any dead or yellowing fronds at the base to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the current container or the soil has broken down.
Soil: Humus rich, rocky, well draining soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

roots growing out of the drainage holes
stunted growth despite proper care

Safety

People: There are no known toxic properties for humans.
Children: The plant is non-toxic, but the fronds can be fragile and messy if handled roughly by small children.
Edibility: This fern is not considered edible.

How to identify it

Dark purple to black stems
Narrow, once pinnate fronds
Alternating leaflets along the stalk
Small sori on leaf undersides

Height: 0.2 to 0.5m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: dark green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Common problems

Scale — Small sap-sucking insects that appear as brown bumps on the underside of fronds.

Growing it

Propagation: spores, division
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Leave the old fronds in place until early spring to protect the crown, then trim them back as new growth appears.
In containers: It grows well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and the soil is kept evenly moist.

Division

1. Carefully dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Gently pull the root mass apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in moist, well-draining soil.

Plant this fern in rocky crevices or at the base of larger perennials to mimic its natural woodland habitat.

Grows well with

Christmas Fern — They share similar light and moisture requirements in woodland settings.
Wild Ginger — This groundcover provides a nice textural contrast to the upright fronds.

Similar species

Maidenhair Spleenwort — It is a smaller relative that also prefers rocky, shaded sites.

Science

Family: Aspleniaceae
Genus: Asplenium
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Eastern and central North America.
Conservation: This species is secure and common throughout its native range.

It typically grows in rocky, well-drained soils in forests and along cliff edges.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small insects
Uses: woodland gardens, rock gardens, terrariums

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full shade?: It prefers partial shade but can tolerate more sun if the soil remains consistently moist.
Is it easy to grow?: Yes, it is quite adaptable to various soil types as long as it has good drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Asplenium comes from the Greek word for spleen, as it was once thought to cure spleen ailments, while platyneuron refers to the broad, dark midrib.

Good to know

The dark, shiny stems are what give this fern its common name.
It thrives in both sun and shade if the soil stays moist.
The spores are produced on the undersides of the fertile fronds.

Also in

Is your ebony spleenwort looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.