Hen and Chicken Fern

Botanical name: Asplenium bulbiferum
Common name(s): Hen and Chicken Fern, Pikopiko, Mother Spleenwort, Mouku, Mauku
Synonyms: Asplenium marinum var. bulbifera, Caenopteris bulbifera

Plant facts:
A lush soft-foliaged forest fern endemic to New Zealand, famous for producing small plantlets (bulbils) along its fronds which readily root to form new plants. Widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable native ferns and valued for both ornamental and cultural significance.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally in moist coastal to subalpine forest, particularly within shaded lowland rainforest, gullies, riparian margins, and fertile damp forest floors.

Growing environment:
Shade to partial shade, Moist soils, Sheltered & Humid conditions.
Thrives in fertile free-draining soils rich in organic matter with reliable moisture.

Endemic distribution:
Endemic to New Zealand.
Found throughout the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura, and the Chatham Islands.

Height:
Approximately 0.3–1.2 m tall

Width:
Approximately 0.5–1.5 m wide

Uses:

• Native forest restoration
• Shade and woodland gardens
• Indoor and container planting
• Riparian revegetation
• Traditional Māori food plant
• Lush subtropical landscaping

Cultural uses:

Young unfurling fronds known as pikopiko were traditionally gathered and eaten by Māori as a vegetable. The fern remains culturally important and widely recognised throughout Aotearoa.

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A robust tufted evergreen fern forming graceful spreading clumps from a short upright rhizome.

Fronds:
Large pale to yellow-green fronds are finely divided and arching, often carrying numerous small bulbils along the upper surface.

Stems and scales:
Stipes are stout with brown ovate scales concentrated near the base and along the rachis.

Bulbils:
Small plantlets develop on mature fronds and readily detach to root in damp soil, allowing rapid vegetative spread.

Sori:
Numerous elongated sori occur beneath the fronds near the margins.

Ecology:
An abundant component of moist forest understories, especially in high rainfall regions and along streams. Frequently hybridises with related Asplenium species where populations overlap.

Associated wildlife:
Provides shelter and humid microhabitats for forest invertebrates and contributes to dense fern ground layers within native ecosystems.

How to grow:
Very easy to cultivate in shaded or semi-shaded positions with moist well-drained soil. Protect from prolonged drought and harsh afternoon sun. Excellent for pots, ferneries, shaded courtyards, and damp woodland gardens.

Propagation:
Extremely easy from bulbils, spores, or division of established clumps.

Garden value:
One of the finest native foliage ferns for creating a lush forest appearance. Its elegant divided fronds and naturally self-propagating bulbils make it highly rewarding in both gardens and containers.