woodland fern
Maidenhair spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes
Native to most of the USA and Canada
Quebec to southeastern Manitoba, locally south to Virginia, uplands of Georgia and Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas; also southern Alberta and British Columbia, interruptedly south to Colorado, Arizona and California
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Flowering time
- Height up to 10 in to 25 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland fern for sun through shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 10 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Most of the USA and CanadaUnited States (45): AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY. Canada (10): AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, NT, ON, QC, YT. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Quebec to southeastern Manitoba, locally south to Virginia, uplands of Georgia and Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas; also southern Alberta and British Columbia, interruptedly south to Colorado, Arizona and CaliforniaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 1–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist humus among limestone rocksThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 10 in (to 25 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.