Cheilanthes eatonii

RHS Plant Profile
Eaton's lip fern

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Eaton's lip fern RHS / Joanna Kossak
Ferns Herbaceous Perennial

An evergreen fern with pale green fronds, covered in fine white or creamy hairs. Fronds yet to unfurl often have a curled or contorted appearance and may be tan coloured

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral or Acid

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing or South–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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Clump forming
Genus
Cheilanthes are typically evergreen ferns, producing dense clumps of small fronds on shiny, often black, stalks
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
C & S USA, Mex.

How to Grow

Cultivation

This is a dryland fern so unlike most other ferns it prefers a well drained soil, especially over winter. Can tolerate partial shade or sun. Good choice for container cultivation. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division or spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Wall side borders
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free