Hart's Tongue Fern
Asplenium Scolopendrium
Overview
The Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is an evergreen perennial fern, appreciated for its distinctive, glossy, strap-like fronds that can reach 1-1.5 feet in length. Thriving in USDA zones 5-8, it prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil with a neutral to alkaline pH. Its unique, wavy-edged foliage adds texture and lush greenery to shaded gardens, making it a striking choice for woodland settings and rock gardens.
Sun Deep Shade, Half, ShadeWater High, MediumZones 5–9Type FernClimate Temperate

Culture
- Sun
- Deep Shade, Half, Shade
- Water
- High, Medium
- USDA zones
- 5–9
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Fern
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Climate
- Temperate
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (199)
























Photographs by 16 contributors
- Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Jonathan Billinger, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Петроченко Віктор Іванович, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Ashley Basil, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Andy Potter, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Albert Bridge, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Andrew Curtis, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Rosa-Maria Rinkl, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Дмитро Полюхович, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Jacy Chen, CC BY 4.0 · source
- Radio Tonreg from Vienna, Austria, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble, CC BY 2.0 · source
- Neil Theasby, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
- Björn S..., CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Related plants

Fern
Alaska Fern
Polystichum Setiferum
Deep ShadeUSDA 6–8

Fern
Alpine Water Fern
Blechnum Penna-Marina
Deep ShadeUSDA 7–10

Fern
Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
ShadeUSDA 4–10

Fern
Bird's Nest Fern
Asplenium Nidus
HalfUSDA 10–11

Fern
Blue Star Fern
Phlebodium Aureum
HalfUSDA 5–9

Fern
Brilliance Autumn Fern
Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Brilliance'
HalfUSDA 5–9