Wall-rue
Asplenium ruta-muraria
Also listed as Asplenium murale
Also known as Wallrue Spleenwort
Climate Match for your location
See how well Wall-rue grows in your area.
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A delicate fern that grows on walls and rocky outcrops, with small, feathery fronds that create an airy texture. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal care.
Why grow it
Wall-rue is notably more drought-tolerant and compact than most ferns, making it useful where larger species would struggle in dry microclimates on walls, rocky banks, or between pavers. Unlike many ferns that prefer consistently moist conditions, this species thrives in the lean, well-drained substrates of vertical or rocky surfaces, requiring less supplemental water once rooted. It offers fine, delicate texture similar to maidenhair fern but with substantially greater resilience to drying conditions and neglect.
Watch out for
While hardy, wall-rue's diminutive size means it can be easily lost visually or physically in a garden setting, so placement in a location where you'll see it regularly is worth considering. Young plants may take time to establish and expand, so patience and consistent light (bright, indirect) during the first season will improve success rates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aspleniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, 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 delicate fern that grows on walls and rocky outcrops, with small, feathery fronds that create an airy texture. Extremely hardy and drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal care.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Wall-rue grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Wall-rue is notably more drought-tolerant and compact than most ferns, making it useful where larger species would struggle in dry microclimates on walls, rocky banks, or between pavers. Unlike many ferns that prefer consistently moist conditions, this species thrives in the lean, well-drained substrates of vertical or rocky surfaces, requiring less supplemental water once rooted. It offers fine, delicate texture similar to maidenhair fern but with substantially greater resilience to drying conditions and neglect.
Watch out for
While hardy, wall-rue's diminutive size means it can be easily lost visually or physically in a garden setting, so placement in a location where you'll see it regularly is worth considering. Young plants may take time to establish and expand, so patience and consistent light (bright, indirect) during the first season will improve success rates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Aspleniaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Europe, Western Asia, North Africa
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, 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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