Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Hart's Tongue Fern

Asplenium Scolopendrium

Design with this plant

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
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — it prefers partial to full shade and moist; wavy-edged foliage adds texture and lush greenery to, image 105

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 trial

Photos (199)

Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — requiring protection from harsh afternoon sun; with only the removal of any tired or damaged fronds, image 168
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — appreciated for its distinctive; scolopendrium apart are its fronds - simple and undivided, image 52
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — Along the back of each mature frond; incorporating this fern into a landscape provides exceptional textural
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — Incorporating this fern into a landscape provides exceptional textural contrast; they boast a, image 70
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — with only the removal of any tired or damaged fronds as needed; making it a striking choice for, image 173
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — Incorporating this fern into a landscape provides exceptional textural contrast; they boast a, image 145
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — glossy fronds splay outwards like green tongues; typically reaching lengths of 10 to 18 inches, image 109
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — Thriving in USDA zones 5-8; fern for deep shade or half or shade, image 104
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — appreciated for its distinctive; scolopendrium apart are its fronds - simple and undivided, image 152
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — requiring protection from harsh afternoon sun; with only the removal of any tired or damaged fronds as needed
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — requiring protection from harsh afternoon sun; with only the removal of any tired or damaged fronds, image 143
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — <br><br>This low-maintenance fern demands little once established - no routine pruning; the Hart's, image 72
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — a feature contrasting with the more intricately divided leaves of most other fern species, image 163
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — sori form a herringbone pattern; appreciated for its distinctive, image 165
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — appreciated for its distinctive; scolopendrium apart are its fronds - simple and undivided, image 77
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — It prefers consistently moist, but not soggy, soil with good drainage and a slightly alkaline pH; it prefers
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — Thriving in USDA zones 5-8; fern for deep shade or half or shade, image 179
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — giving rise to spores that facilitate the propagation of the plant; glossy fronds splay outwards, image 166
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — sori form a herringbone pattern; appreciated for its distinctive
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — sori form a herringbone pattern; appreciated for its distinctive, image 140
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — they boast a strap-like appearance; well-drained soil with a neutral to alkaline pH, image 162
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — <br><br>This low-maintenance fern demands little once established - no routine pruning
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — scolopendrium apart are its fronds - simple and undivided; scolopendrium as an ornamental candidate, image 86
Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolopendrium) — scolopendrium as an ornamental candidate for shaded borders
Photographs by 16 contributors

Related plants

Alaska Fern (Polystichum Setiferum) — This species is renowned for its lush; the Alaska Fern is low maintenance

Fern

Alaska Fern

Polystichum Setiferum

Deep ShadeUSDA 6–8
Alpine Water Fern (Blechnum Penna-Marina) — fern / ground cover for deep shade or half or shade; it is generally pest and disease-resistant

Fern

Alpine Water Fern

Blechnum Penna-Marina

Deep ShadeUSDA 7–10
Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) — It is also commonly called the Japanese Shield Fern due to its robust nature and, image 32

Fern

Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern

Dryopteris erythrosora

ShadeUSDA 4–10
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium Nidus) — resembling a bird's nest - hence the name; which is a key identifying feature, image 82

Fern

Bird's Nest Fern

Asplenium Nidus

HalfUSDA 10–11
Blue Star Fern (Phlebodium Aureum) — evergreen fern boasting glaucous; tropical fern that brings a touch of serene beauty to garden spaces with its unique

Fern

Blue Star Fern

Phlebodium Aureum

HalfUSDA 5–9
Brilliance Autumn Fern (Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Brilliance') — The Brilliance Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance') is a vibrant, shade-loving

Fern

Brilliance Autumn Fern

Dryopteris Erythrosora 'Brilliance'

HalfUSDA 5–9