Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers shade or filtered light.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it does well in shallow pots with excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Maidenhair spleenwort.

Asplenium trichomanes

Pronounced as-PLEE-nee-um try-KOM-uh-neez

Also known as Maidenhair Spleenwort

Asplenium trichomanes — Photo by guywallbanks (CC BY) via gbif

This charming fern is a classic choice for rock gardens or cool, shaded spots. It features delicate fronds that grow in neat clusters. You will love how its dark stems contrast with the bright green leaflets.

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: 10 to 12 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to mimic its natural rocky habitat. Watch for browning leaf tips, which often signal that the air is too dry or the soil has dried out completely. It thrives best in cool, humid environments with good airflow.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly damp to the touch at all times.
Feeding: Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer once a month 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 container, as this fern prefers to be somewhat snug.
Soil: Well-draining, rocky, or gritty potting mix
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: -20 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
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.
The plant appears crowded in its current container.

Safety

People: There are no known toxic effects from handling this plant.
Children: The delicate fronds are fragile and may break if handled by small children.
Contact allergens: None.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Dark, wiry, purple-black stems
Small, rounded, bright green leaflets
Fronds grow in dense, circular clumps
Leaflets arranged in opposite pairs

Height: 0.1 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a sheltered spot away from drying winds. Ensure the crown stays relatively dry to prevent rot during freezing temperatures.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, especially shallow troughs or pots that mimic rock crevices.

Division

1. Gently remove the plant from its container.
2. Carefully tease apart the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant into fresh, gritty, alkaline potting mix.

Pair this fern with other small, shade loving rock plants to create a naturalistic crevice garden.

Grows well with

Common Polypody · They share similar light and moisture needs in rock garden settings.
Wall Rue · These ferns naturally occur together in limestone crevices.

Similar species

Black Spleenwort · It has a similar growth habit but with broader, more triangular fronds.

Science

Family: Aspleniaceae
Genus: Asplenium
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Temperate regions across the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Conservation: It is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It grows in the cracks of shaded rocks and walls where it can access moisture and mineral nutrients.

Uses: rock gardens, wall crevices, terrariums

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 8/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need direct sun?: No, it prefers shade or filtered light.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it does well in shallow pots with excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Asplenium comes from the Greek word for spleen, as it was historically used to treat spleen ailments. The species name trichomanes refers to its hair like appearance.

Good to know

The common name maidenhair spleenwort refers to the dark, hair like stalks.
It is a cosmopolitan species found on almost every continent.
The plant prefers alkaline soil conditions.
It can survive in very low light environments.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.