Botanical name:

Asplenium flaccidum

Common name(s):

Drooping spleenwort, hanging spleenwort

About:

This predominantly epiphytic fern grows on trees in forests across New Zealand, from sea level to 1000m. Its fronds, ranging from 10cm to 1m in length, are leathery, dull green, and lined with narrow leaflets. With its graceful, drooping form, this fern makes an excellent indoor plant for a hanging container. Outdoors, it thrives in shady areas when attached to a tree with moss to protect its roots or planted in rich, damp humus where its fronds can cascade naturally.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane (at the tree limit). In tall forest, scrub or rough boulder strewn ground. Mostly epiphytic on various native trees but also found on the ground.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Kermadec, Three Kings, North, South, Stewart, Chatham and Snares Islands. Also present in Australia and the wider Pacific.

Height: Variable up to 1m

Flowering: N/A Spore producing

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Forests, Pioneer Plantings & Container friendly

How to grow:

Easily grown from spore or division. An excellent pot and hanging basket fern. Can be slow establish. Prefers semi-shade, and should be planted in a fertile, free draining soil.