Asplenium ceterach

RHS Plant Profile

rustyback fern

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Other common names

finger fern, fringe fern, milt waste, scale fern, scaly spleenwort, stone fern

Synonyms

Ceterach vulgare
Ceterach officinarum
Asplenium officinarum

Ferns Herbaceous Perennial

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A terrestrial, evergreen fern about 15cm tall, with short, upright rhizomes and tufts of narrow, lance-shaped fronds to 20cm long, dark green above with rusty brown scales beneath

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Chalk

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 Chalk

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

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–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): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Aspleniaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, 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: Europe, N Africa, W Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in humus-rich, moist but well-drained, preferably alkaline soil with added grit, in partial shade. See how to grow ferns for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division, or propagate by sowing spores as soon as ripe at 15°C

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Wall side borders

Pruning

Dead or damaged fronds may be removed as necessary

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free