Hart's-tongue Fern
Asplenium scolopendrium
Also listed as Phyllitis scolopendrium, Scolopendrium officinale
Also known as Hart's-tongue
Climate Match for your location
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Hart's-tongue fern is a distinctive evergreen fern with long, undivided, strap-like fronds that resemble a deer's tongue. It thrives in moist, shaded woodland conditions and makes an excellent accent plant for shade gardens and rock crevices.
Why grow it
Hart's-tongue fern offers an unusual texture among shade ferns, with its simple, undivided fronds standing apart from the more finely dissected forms common in woodland gardens. Unlike many ferns that require consistent moisture, this species tolerates drier conditions once established, making it useful for transition zones between wet and moderate shade. Its evergreen habit provides winter structure where deciduous ferns fade, and its compact growth suits confined spaces like rock crevices and stone walls where larger ferns would overwhelm.
Watch out for
This fern prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil and may struggle in acidic conditions, requiring a soil amendment adjustment in regions with naturally low pH. Excessive summer heat and direct sun stress the fronds even in partial shade, so site selection matters more than with some other shade ferns. While generally hardy in temperate regions, performance declines in hot, humid climates where fungal frond spotting becomes more frequent.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aspleniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe, western Asia, and North Africa
Native to: Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Hart's-tongue fern is a distinctive evergreen fern with long, undivided, strap-like fronds that resemble a deer's tongue. It thrives in moist, shaded woodland conditions and makes an excellent accent plant for shade gardens and rock crevices.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Hart's-tongue Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Hart's-tongue fern offers an unusual texture among shade ferns, with its simple, undivided fronds standing apart from the more finely dissected forms common in woodland gardens. Unlike many ferns that require consistent moisture, this species tolerates drier conditions once established, making it useful for transition zones between wet and moderate shade. Its evergreen habit provides winter structure where deciduous ferns fade, and its compact growth suits confined spaces like rock crevices and stone walls where larger ferns would overwhelm.
Watch out for
This fern prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil and may struggle in acidic conditions, requiring a soil amendment adjustment in regions with naturally low pH. Excessive summer heat and direct sun stress the fronds even in partial shade, so site selection matters more than with some other shade ferns. While generally hardy in temperate regions, performance declines in hot, humid climates where fungal frond spotting becomes more frequent.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aspleniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe, western Asia, and North Africa
Native to: Alabama, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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