Hart's tongue fern.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Fern

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Indoor light

Medium light

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

1 to 2 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

None, as it is a fern reproducing via spores.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural rocky, damp habitat. Watch for browning leaf tips, which often signal that the air is too dry or the soil has dried out completely. It prefers cool temperatures and appreciates high humidity, so avoid placing it near heat vents.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist to the touch at all times.

Feeding

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Trim away any dead or damaged fronds at the base to keep the plant looking tidy.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.

Soil

Rich, well draining, lime rich soil

Soil pH

Neutral to alkaline

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

There are no known toxic effects from handling this fern.

Children

The plant is generally safe, but the fronds can be fragile and should not be handled roughly by small children.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from contact with the spores.

Airborne allergens

The fine spores can cause respiratory irritation if inhaled in large quantities.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Long, undivided strap shaped fronds
• Bright green leathery leaf texture
• Wavy or ruffled leaf margins
• Distinctive brown spore lines on undersides

Height

0.3 to 0.6m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

bright green, dark green, evergreen

Flowers

0cm

Common problems

• Slugs and snails — These pests feed on the tender young fronds during wet weather.
• Leaf spot — Fungal infections can occur if the foliage stays wet for too long in poor air circulation.

Growing it

Propagation

division, spores

When to plant

spring, autumn

Plant this fern in a cool, north-facing spot with plenty of organic matter to mimic its natural limestone habitat.

Grows well with

• Hosta — They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
• Bleeding Heart — It provides a beautiful textural contrast to the strap-like fronds of the fern.

Similar species

• Maidenhair Fern — It is another shade-loving fern that thrives in similar woodland conditions.

Science

Family

Aspleniaceae

Genus

Asplenium

Order

Polypodiales

Class

Polypodiopsida

Native range

Europe, parts of North America, and Asia.

Conservation

It is protected in some parts of its native range due to habitat loss and overcollection.

It typically grows in moist, shaded limestone crevices and woodland floors where it can access cool, humid air.

Value to wildlife

provides shelter for small invertebrates

Uses

shade garden, rock garden, woodland border

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers deep shade and will scorch in direct sunlight.

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Asplenium comes from the Greek word for spleen, as it was historically used to treat spleen disorders. The species name scolopendrium refers to the centipede-like arrangement of the spore cases.

Good to know

• It is commonly known as the hart's tongue fern because the fronds resemble a deer's tongue.
• It thrives in alkaline soils, which is unusual for many ferns.
• The plant was once used in traditional medicine to treat liver and spleen ailments.

Also in

• Plants for shade