Vibrant green broad-leafed staghorn walking fern on mossy stone

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Planting & Growing Information

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Planting Zone

3-8

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

Water Needs

Moderate

Sun or Shade

Partial shade and Shade

Bloom Season

NA

Care

Walking Ferns thrive in well-draining, rich soil and benefit from consistent moisture. They are best suited for shaded, humid environments. Regularly water to keep the soil evenly moist and prune dead fronds to encourage healthy growth.

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.

Plant Attributes

Versatile placement & adaptability , Shade tolerance & low-maintenance, Air purification & aesthetically pleasing

Walking Fern

Name: Walking Fern
Brand: TN Nursery
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Buy 1, Get 1 FREE - Add 1 to your cart, and we'll automatically send the second one FREE!Bulk pricing applied. Free plant offer is only on the Buy 1 Get 1 Free option.

$7.99

$4.00 each 2 plants (buy 1, get 1 free)

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Planting & Growing Information

Ships

Ships Now

Planting Zone

3-8

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

Water Needs

Moderate

Sun or Shade

Partial shade and Shade

Bloom Season

NA

Care

Walking Ferns thrive in well-draining, rich soil and benefit from consistent moisture. They are best suited for shaded, humid environments. Regularly water to keep the soil evenly moist and prune dead fronds to encourage healthy growth.

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.

Plant Attributes

Versatile placement & adaptability , Shade tolerance & low-maintenance, Air purification & aesthetically pleasing

Featured Reviews

4.6 (16 reviews) View all reviews See all

LINDA AUFDERHAR

All arrived in good shape and were planted in pots immediately. I’m a happy camper.

M.D.

Just received my order a few days ago and all plants look like they were packaged well and in great condition. Looking forward to seeing them pop up next year or, maybe some will make an appearance yet this year? We have wooded property and was so happy to find someone with a great selection of woodland plants as we want to keep the area as natural as possible. I like the one year warranty on the plants and look forward to ordering again from TN Nursery.

Marian

I expected ****

About this plant

Walking Fern Details

Walking Fern - Asplenium Rhizophyllum

The Walking Fern (Asplenium Rhizophyllum) 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

Flower Color: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

Root system of a plant on soil with a trowel nearby

Why Buy Bare Root Plants From TN Nursery?

Since 1959, TN Nursery has grown and shipped quality bare root plants nationwide. Shipped during dormancy, bare-root plants develop strong root systems and establish quickly. Our experienced team carefully harvests and packages every order, providing growers with trusted plants backed by over 65 years of nursery experience.

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Unique Propagation:

The Walking Fern spreads by tip rooting, creating a lush, self-propagating ground cover, making it a fascinating addition to any garden.

Shade Tolerant:

Thrives in shaded areas where many plants struggle, providing greenery in low-light spots.

Aesthetic Appeal:

Features attractive, arching fronds that add a touch of elegance and natural beauty to shaded garden areas.

Low Maintenance:

Requires minimal care once established, making it an excellent choice for busy gardeners.

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Product Highlight

5 stars: 9 (56%)
4 stars: 7 (44%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

The Walking Fern is one of the most interesting plants in my shade garden. I wanted something different for a rocky woodland area and this was perfect.

Walking Ferns Bring Woodland Beauty

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.

Healthy and Vibrant Walking Ferns

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.

Perfect Walking Ferns for Landscaping

The Walking Ferns from TN Nursery are perfect for my shaded landscaping project. Their spreading growth habit covers the ground beautifully while adding unique texture and greenery.

Thriving Walking Ferns from TN Nursery

I was impressed with the quality of the Walking Ferns I received. They were well-packaged, vibrant, and immediately began growing in my garden. TN Nursery consistently provides excellent plants.

Walking Fern Adds Character to My Garden

The Walking Ferns I purchased from TN Nursery are thriving. Their unusual growth pattern adds character and natural beauty to my woodland garden. Each plant was healthy and well-rooted.

Unique and Hardy Walking Fern Plants

I am so pleased with my Walking Ferns from TN Nursery. These plants are unique and hardy, spreading gracefully across my shaded yard. They arrived healthy and were very easy to transplant.

Beautiful Walking Ferns from TN Nursery

The Walking Ferns I ordered from TN Nursery arrived in perfect condition, with strong roots and lush green fronds. They add a unique charm to my shaded rock garden and are already thriving beautifully.

Not a 5 but a 4.5 stars

Received my box in perfect condition. I purchased 25 walking ferns and there were more like 35 in the bag. All green, beautiful, well packed and alive.

So why not a 5 rating? Actually I'd give it a 4.5 but there's no .5 in the survey. The ferns were quite small. Most of them the size of a quarter or a half dollar for the larger ones. From ordering, to delivery, to health of the plants everything was 5 stars. The ding was $85.00 for very, very small plants.

I ordered the 25 Bracken Ferns, I hope they are not this small when I receive them.

All arrived in good shape and were planted in pots immediately. I’m a happy camper.

Smaller than expected but I was given 13 roots, not just the four I expected!

See above

Pleased

Just received my order a few days ago and all plants look like they were packaged well and in great condition. Looking forward to seeing them pop up next year or, maybe some will make an appearance yet this year? We have wooded property and was so happy to find someone with a great selection of woodland plants as we want to keep the area as natural as possible. I like the one year warranty on the plants and look forward to ordering again from TN Nursery.

Very healthy looking little plants

I expected **** looking roots. So surprised to have small green plants attached. Easiest thing that I ever planted. Thank you.

Walking fern

Walking fern is one of my favorite plants. I planted mine immediately. Some of them already seem to be beginning to thrive. I am most pleased.

Warrant honored

Thankful for plants that didn’t thrived were replaced. Appreciate integrity.

Walking fern

Right now it’s just a baby size but I can’t wait to see how it grows and what it turns into!