Walking Fern For Sale
The Walking Fern (Asplenium Rhizophyllum) style="font-size: 0.875rem;">is native to eastern North America, where it can be found naturally growing along ledges or within crevices across shaded limestone cliffs or in moist ravines. Favoring high-humidity environments, you will find this species tucked away in microclimates that provide trickling moisture and protection from the sun and wind.
This fern spreads vegetatively by rooting from the leaf tip when in contact with the ground. This is where it gets its common name, as it appears to walk, a short distance, along the forest floor.
Walking Fern Plant Details
Family: Aspleniaceae
Hardiness Zones: 4–8
Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Needs: Moderate
Height: 6 - 12 in
Spread: 6 – 12 in
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Bloom Time: NA
Wildlife Value: Provides ground cover and microhabitats for small forest floor fauna
Evergreen, Spreads Vegetatively
It is a unique fern with long, pointed, triangular leaves that begin at the base of the blade with two lobes, creating a spear-like appearance. This fern is evergreen, and the leaves are quite striking as they show a network of venation that scrolls across the width of the leaf. While this fern looks quite different from the feather fronds of other ferns, it produces sori and spores on the undersides of the fronds on either side of the central vein.
These ferns love moist, rocky, and shady environments. The Walking Fern will grow well in moist moss or a rotting log. Once established, they will spread vegetatively and add an evergreen accent to your shaded woodland garden or rock wall attribute.
Landscape Uses and Maintenance
This plant is pest and disease-free. While it has been noted by other growers to tolerate some drought, it prefers moist, well-drained soil. It will not grow in direct sunlight and requires a shaded environment to proliferate. It prefers limestone-reach or calcareous soils and can spread vegetatively by rooting from the leaf tips. This may not be a fern for beginners, as they do require specific growing conditions. However, they will make a lovely addition to the garden.
Characteristics
This unique fern will add an accent of genuine deep forest appeal to a moist area of your garden or to a rock wall feature that will last all year long. Shop the walking fern online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.
Customer Reviews
I couldn’t be happier with the Walking Ferns from TN Nursery. They add elegance and unique texture to my shaded garden while thriving with little care. Each plant was healthy and well-packaged.
The Walking Ferns from TN Nursery make a stunning ground cover in shady spots. Their graceful fronds look elegant, and they grow vigorously. Excellent quality plants from a trusted nursery.
TN Nursery is my trusted source for quality plants, and their Walking Ferns are no exception. These ferns are unique, adaptable, and already spreading nicely in my garden.
I love the Walking Ferns I purchased from TN Nursery. They bring a woodland beauty to my yard with their unusual growth pattern and lush greenery. Every plant was healthy and thriving upon arrival.
TN Nursery delivered incredibly healthy Walking Ferns. The plants had strong roots, and their fronds were bright green and full of life. They have settled perfectly into my shady garden.
Why is it called a walking fern?
The Walking Fern gets its name from the way it naturally “walks” across the ground. Its leaf tips touch the soil and take root, creating new plants that appear to walk from one spot to another. This unique growth pattern makes it a fascinating and attractive fern for shaded gardens.
Where do walking ferns grow?
Walking Ferns grow naturally in shaded, moist areas, often on mossy rocks or limestone outcrops. They thrive in high humidity and rich, well-drained soil. Their love for shade and rocky habitats makes them perfect for woodland or shaded rock gardens.
Does a walking fern produce spores?
Yes, the Walking Fern produces spores instead of seeds to reproduce. The spores grow on the undersides of its leaves and help it spread naturally. This unique fern also “walks” by forming new plants where its leaf tips touch the soil.
Exposure
Walking Fern thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens or shaded areas. It prefers indirect light and can tolerate deep shade, thriving in cool, moist environments with rich, humus-filled soil.
Height at Maturity
Under 2 Feet
Usage
Shade Border Plants
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
USPS
Planting Zones
4-8
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Fern Rhizomes
Bare root fern rhizomes are easy to plant and bring lush, woodland beauty to shaded or partially shaded areas. To begin, soak the rhizomes in water for 1–2 hours before planting to help rehydrate them. Choose a planting site with rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Ferns thrive in moisture-retentive soil, so amending with compost or leaf mold is ideal.
Dig a shallow hole wide enough to spread the rhizome out horizontally, and place it just below the soil surface with the growing tips (or “eyes”) facing upward. Cover lightly with soil, press gently, and water thoroughly. Keep the soil evenly moist—never dry or soggy—while the fern establishes.
Mulch with leaf litter or pine needles to conserve moisture and mimic the fern’s natural habitat. Avoid direct sunlight, as most native ferns prefer cool, shaded conditions. With patience and proper care, the rhizomes will send up new fronds and form a graceful, low-maintenance colony that returns year after year.
