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FernsConservatory Greenhouse

Asplenium × lucrosum

mother spleenwort

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

Synonyms

Asplenium bulbiferum misapplied

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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)

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

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