Asplenium bulbiferum Forst.f.

RHS Plant Profile
hen and chickens fern

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hen and chickens fern Dorling Kindersley 2003
hen and chickens fern RHS

Other common names

mother spleenwort, New Zealand common spleenwort

Award of Garden Merit
Conservatory Greenhouse Ferns

A tufted evergreen fern to 75cm, with finely divided light green fronds bearing small plantlets on the upper surface

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Aspleniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus
Asplenium are evergreen ferns with short, usually erect rhizomes bearing a rosette of slightly leathery fronds which may be simple, pinnate to 3-pinnate
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Australia, New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in bright indirect light, in a container using three parts peat-free multipurpose compost, one part peat-free John Innes No.3, and added horticultural grit, occasionally misting the fronds for moderate humidity. Water to keep the compost moist but not soggy and use a half strength general liquid fertiliser monthly between May and August. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by sowing spores or by potting up plantlets when 3 or 4 leaves have formed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free