Resurrection Fern
Pleopeltis michauxiana
Climate Match for your location
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A tiny epiphytic fern that curls up dramatically when dry and revives when watered, earning its name as a resurrection plant. It naturally grows on tree bark and rocks, making it ideal for mounted displays or as a houseplant.
Why grow it
Resurrection fern offers a low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking epiphytic species that tolerate irregular watering better than most ferns. Unlike tender tropical ferns, this species handles both desiccation and rehydration cycles without permanent damage, making it suitable for mounted displays or indoor settings where moisture consistency is difficult to maintain. Its compact size and ability to thrive on tree bark or rock surfaces make it useful for those developing vertical garden systems or naturalistic woodland edges.
Watch out for
While drought-tolerant when established, repeated cycles of complete desiccation can stress the plant over time, so aim for regular (though not constant) moisture rather than relying solely on its revival capacity. Indoor cultivation may suffer if surrounding humidity remains very low for extended periods, even though the plant can technically survive such conditions. Indoor specimens occasionally attract spider mites in dry indoor environments, warranting periodic inspection.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A tiny epiphytic fern that curls up dramatically when dry and revives when watered, earning its name as a resurrection plant. It naturally grows on tree bark and rocks, making it ideal for mounted displays or as a houseplant.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Resurrection Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Resurrection fern offers a low-maintenance option for gardeners seeking epiphytic species that tolerate irregular watering better than most ferns. Unlike tender tropical ferns, this species handles both desiccation and rehydration cycles without permanent damage, making it suitable for mounted displays or indoor settings where moisture consistency is difficult to maintain. Its compact size and ability to thrive on tree bark or rock surfaces make it useful for those developing vertical garden systems or naturalistic woodland edges.
Watch out for
While drought-tolerant when established, repeated cycles of complete desiccation can stress the plant over time, so aim for regular (though not constant) moisture rather than relying solely on its revival capacity. Indoor cultivation may suffer if surrounding humidity remains very low for extended periods, even though the plant can technically survive such conditions. Indoor specimens occasionally attract spider mites in dry indoor environments, warranting periodic inspection.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Ground cover
Low spreading plants that carpet the soil.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar ground covers you might consider:
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