Asplenium × lucrosum

RHS Plant Profile

mother spleenwort

Synonyms

Asplenium bulbiferum misapplied

Ferns Conservatory Greenhouse

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A tender terrestrial or epiphytic evergreen fern about 1.2m tall and wide, with short upright rhizomes and lance-shaped dark green fronds, the lance-shaped segments bear numerous plantlets

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–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: Clump forming
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

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 as soon as ripe at 21°C; propagate by potting up plantlets when 3 or 4 leaflets have formed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free