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Microsorum punctatum (Climbing bird's nest fern)

Other names: Elkhorn fern, Polypodium punctatum, Polypodium polycarpon, Fishtail fern, Microsorium punctatum, Fishtail strap-fern, Strapleaf fern

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Species
M. punctatum is a tender, evergreen, terrestrial or epiphytic fern with glossy, narrowly lance-shaped to broadly linear, bright green fronds.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
0.6 m 0.6 m 2-5 years
1 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • North
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in equal parts find-grade bark, perlite, and charcoal. May be grown epiphytically in bright filtered light with the rhizomes wrapped in moss and tied to a suitable rooting medium. Mist regularly. Outdoors, grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to acid soil in partial shade. Do not allow to dry out. Overwinter indoors or protect with a thick winter mulch.

Suggested uses

Banks and Slopes, Ground Cover, Rock, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Foliage only

UK hardiness

H3

USDA zones

Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Clump-forming

Native to

Madagascar, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Southeastern Asia, Pacific Islands

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds as needed.

Propagation methods

Division

Pests

Diseases

Divide and replant in spring

Mulch with leaf mould or garden compost in spring (optional)

Plant container grown plants in moderately fertile, well-drained soil

Remove faded or dead foliage (optional)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Plant in neutral to alkaline soil (autumn or spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (3)

Microsorum

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0 selected
Microsorum diversifolium
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Microsorum diversifolium Kangaroo fern
Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus'
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Microsorum musifolium 'Crocodyllus' Crocodile fern
Microsorum punctatum
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Microsorum punctatum Climbing bird's nest fern
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Companion plants (0)

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