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Asplenium bulbiferum - Hen and Chicken Fern / Pikopiko / Mother Spleenwort
A beautiful and distinctive New Zealand native fern, valued for its graceful form and unusual reproductive habit. This fast-growing species forms lush clumps of arching fronds and is well suited to shaded gardens, riparian plantings, and containers.
π± Plant Facts
β’ Growth habit: Graceful, clump-forming, fast-growing fern
β’ Foliage: Deep green, finely divided fronds that arch elegantly
β’ Unique feature: Small bulbils form on frond tips; when mature (β5 cm) they detach and grow into new plants on contact with the ground
β’ Height & spread: Up to 1 m x 1 m
β’ Flowering: N/A β spore producing
β’ Fruiting: N/A
π Natural Habitat
β’ Coastal to subalpine environments
β’ Common in lowland forest, especially in high rainfall areas
β’ Frequently found in riparian forest and on base-rich substrates
β’ Often grows alongside other Asplenium species and readily forms hybrids
πΏ Growing Environment
β’ Shade tolerant
β’ Salt tolerant
β’ Wetland tolerant
β’ Coastal tolerant
Thrives in sheltered, shaded sites with consistently damp to wet soils rich in organic matter.
π Endemic Distribution
β’ Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand
β’ Found throughout the North, South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands
πΎ Uses
β’ Bird food and attractant
β’ Riparian and understory plantings
β’ Shaded gardens and container planting
β’ Native revegetation projects in moist environments
πͺ΄ Cultivation Notes (Live Plant)
An easy-care fern that establishes quickly in suitable conditions. Prefers shady locations with moist, humus-rich soils and benefits from regular moisture, particularly during establishment. Its elegant form and self-propagating bulbils make it a standout feature in naturalistic plantings and pots.
π Approximate product size:
β’ PB3/4 (5cm β 20cm, 350ml)
β’ PB3 (20cm β 50cm, 1.5L)
β’ PB8 (50cm+, 3.5L)
β±οΈ Timeframe:
We ship Monday β Wednesday for South Island customers and Monday/Tuesday for Rural and North Island customers. Orders placed outside these days will be fulfilled the following week.
π¦ Local pick ups and/or deliveries will be made by arrangement.
π± Weβll donate $1 per plant sold to national conservation efforts, helping to protect and restore New Zealandβs natural heritage
A beautiful and distinctive New Zealand native fern, valued for its graceful form and unusual reproductive habit. This fast-growing species forms lush clumps of arching fronds and is well suited to shaded gardens, riparian plantings, and containers.
π± Plant Facts
β’ Growth habit: Graceful, clump-forming, fast-growing fern
β’ Foliage: Deep green, finely divided fronds that arch elegantly
β’ Unique feature: Small bulbils form on frond tips; when mature (β5 cm) they detach and grow into new plants on contact with the ground
β’ Height & spread: Up to 1 m x 1 m
β’ Flowering: N/A β spore producing
β’ Fruiting: N/A
π Natural Habitat
β’ Coastal to subalpine environments
β’ Common in lowland forest, especially in high rainfall areas
β’ Frequently found in riparian forest and on base-rich substrates
β’ Often grows alongside other Asplenium species and readily forms hybrids
πΏ Growing Environment
β’ Shade tolerant
β’ Salt tolerant
β’ Wetland tolerant
β’ Coastal tolerant
Thrives in sheltered, shaded sites with consistently damp to wet soils rich in organic matter.
π Endemic Distribution
β’ Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand
β’ Found throughout the North, South, Stewart, and Chatham Islands
πΎ Uses
β’ Bird food and attractant
β’ Riparian and understory plantings
β’ Shaded gardens and container planting
β’ Native revegetation projects in moist environments
πͺ΄ Cultivation Notes (Live Plant)
An easy-care fern that establishes quickly in suitable conditions. Prefers shady locations with moist, humus-rich soils and benefits from regular moisture, particularly during establishment. Its elegant form and self-propagating bulbils make it a standout feature in naturalistic plantings and pots.
π Approximate product size:
β’ PB3/4 (5cm β 20cm, 350ml)
β’ PB3 (20cm β 50cm, 1.5L)
β’ PB8 (50cm+, 3.5L)
β±οΈ Timeframe:
We ship Monday β Wednesday for South Island customers and Monday/Tuesday for Rural and North Island customers. Orders placed outside these days will be fulfilled the following week.
π¦ Local pick ups and/or deliveries will be made by arrangement.
π± Weβll donate $1 per plant sold to national conservation efforts, helping to protect and restore New Zealandβs natural heritage