Necklace Fern

Botanical name: Asplenium flabellifolium
Common name(s): Necklace Fern, Walking Fern, Butterfly Fern
Synonyms: Chamaefilix flabellifolium, Asplenium flabellifolium var. ramosum

Plant facts:
A delicate trailing fern valued for its fan-shaped leaflets and creeping fronds that root at their tips to form new plants. This adaptable species naturally colonises rocky sites and open forest margins, creating soft cascading displays over stone and timber.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally on rocky ground, lava and scoria fields, riverbanks, cliff bases, open scrub, fallen logs, and lightly shaded forest margins.

Growing environment:
Semi-shade to filtered sun, Free-draining soils, Dry rocky sites & Sheltered.
Thrives in fertile well-drained soil with good airflow and moderate moisture.

Indigenous distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand and Australia.
In New Zealand found throughout much of the North and South Islands, especially in eastern districts.

Height:
Approximately 0.1–0.25 m tall

Width:
Spreading indefinitely by rooting frond tips

Uses:

• Hanging baskets
• Rock and crevice gardens
• Native fern collections
• Retaining wall planting
• Woodland and courtyard gardens
• Indoor and container growing

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A small creeping evergreen fern forming loose trailing colonies from short erect rhizomes.

Fronds:
Fronds are narrow, soft, light green, and often arching or prostrate with numerous small fan-shaped pinnae.

Rachis:
The slender rachis frequently extends beyond the final pinnae and roots at the tip, allowing the plant to spread naturally.

Leaflets:
Pinnae are rounded to fan-shaped with toothed margins resembling butterfly wings.

Sori:
Elongated sori radiate along the veins beneath the fronds.

Ecology:
Naturally occupies open rocky habitats where its creeping fronds stabilise surfaces and colonise crevices in dry forest and shrubland environments.

Associated wildlife:
Provides shelter and humid microhabitats for small forest invertebrates and contributes to rocky fern communities.

How to grow:
Easy to grow in semi-shaded positions with free-draining fertile soil or amongst rocks. Performs especially well in hanging baskets, pots, retaining walls, and shaded rock gardens. Avoid waterlogged conditions and deep dense shade.

Propagation:
Very easy from rooted frond tips, division, or spores.

Garden value:
An elegant and highly ornamental native fern prized for its cascading habit and naturally self-layering fronds. Excellent for softening rock walls, hanging baskets, and shaded garden edges.