Spleenworts with upright, simple leaves often grow large, and are most suitable in hanging containers to give height to the decoration. Below these leaves, we can plant fine foliage ferns that spread wide or hang down below the epi-log or basket. Plants from other families can be used, such as Schlumbergera with their beautiful flowers, as they have a spreading, and arching habit. Fine foliage types of Spleenworts are usually tall, but with a spreading tendency. With their fine, soft foliage, they contrast well with shiny, round Rhipsalis stems that hang below the container. Spleenworts of this type also look attractive with the smaller weeping hybrids of Epicactus, and Aporocactus.
In a tropical, to a warm-temperate, type climate, this plant is easily grown. It makes a good pot plant or small rock garden plant. Although this species likes to grow in the shade, it will tolerate some sun, and it will withstand some dryness, but will grow better if watered regularly. New plants can be grown from the plantlets at the frond tips. Just peg them to the ground while they are still attached to the parent plant.
Found growing on trees, and rocks, often in large colonies. They are native to the rainforests of Queensland, northern, and central New South Wales, Australia.
If this species is subject to cold weather, the new leaves become distorted. It requires a warm, and humid atmosphere as it is a drought, and frost tender plant. Asplenium nidus is smaller but a similar shaped fern.
Its natural home is in the moist tropical areas of Australia, and the South Pacific, where it can be found growing on rocks, and tree trunks.
We have found this popular plant to grow easily, and look attractive in a hanging container such as a basket or epi-log. Although slow, this plant is easy to grow in a tropical or warm-temperate area. In cool-temperate climates it would require the protection of a heated greenhouse. Nevertheless, they attract slugs, and snails that can cause severe damage, so a hanging container is an advantage.
We can find these plants growing on trees, and rocks in their natural rainforest habitat. Asplenium belangeri is indigenous to a large area of Asia, specifically on the Malay Peninsula, the Indonesian islands of Java, Sumatra, also Kalimantan.
If they are grown as epiphytes, good growth is produced when this fern is attached to a tree fern trunk or a block of tree fern fibre. Plants grown in pots should have a well-drained soil. We can easily start young plants from the small plantlets that grow near the tips of the fronds. They make a good garden subject in moist, shady areas where no heavy frosts occur.
This plant grows as a terrestrial or an epiphyte. It can be found on tree fern trunks in rainforests, and moist fern gullies. It is a native of New Zealand, and a large area from the south of Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania, Australia.
It is easily grown in tropical to warm-temperate areas that are frost free, but in cold regions grow in a heated greenhouse. The potting mixture for this species must be well-drained, and contain plenty of organic matter.
We can find this species growing in rainforests on trees, and rocks. This fern is a native of the Philippine Islands, many islands of Indonesia, New Guinea, and on many small Pacific islands as far east as Samoa.
Although attractive, and easy to grow, we do not encounter this plant very often in cultivation. If we can obtain it, the best results will be from growing it in a protected, moist, and shady place.
In their natural habitat they grow on rocks, and small trees in the moist rainforests of Queensland, Australia.
Reproduction buds are not produced on the frond tips of this species. However, this plant also grows strongly on a tree fern slab. Nevertheless, if we grow it in a container, provide an open potting mixture that gives plenty of air to the roots. We should keep them moist always.
Asplenium flaccidum grows on rocks, and trees in rainforests, and more open, moist forests. It can be found growing in many diverse habitats from southern Queensland, through New South Wales, down to Victoria, and Tasmania, Australia.
This species tolerates poor light, and a dry atmosphere, but we must keep the roots moist, and warm or new fronds may become deformed. Accordingly, try to keep it away from drafty places. Propagation can be achieved by dividing the crown in half with a sharp, clean knife, or by spore.
Pantropical in its habitat, these ferns grow on trees, and rocks in moist rainforests.
Variety plicatum has the common name of Curly Birds Nest Fern, and Lasagne Fern. This distinct variety has dark green fronds that grow upright. They are slender compared with the species. The most outstanding feature is that the fronds are highly sinuate.
We can grow this plant easily if we give it a sheltered position with plenty of humus. Early morning, dappled sunlight is tolerated, but it prefers light shade for the rest of the day. For maximum success it needs to be kept moist but well-drained. This species will adapt easily to a hanging container, pot plant or garden.
New Zealand is the home of this very attractive fern. We can find it as an epiphyte or a terrestrial, growing on coastal cliffs, and inland forests.
Syn. Asplenium lucidum.
In a hanging basket or on an epi-log, it looks attractive with upright plants such as Aechmea or Billbergia. The potting mixture, if used, must be coarse, and open. They resent any disturbance, and may be slow to reestablish.
Asplenium parvum is an infrequent epiphyte even in its natural environment. It is a native of the rainforests of Queensland, Australia.
Keep this Asplenium warm, and moist with a minimum of 10o Celsius (40o Fahrenheit). Grow in a coarse, well-drained potting mixture, and avoid letting it dry out completely.
Located growing on rocks, and trees, this species grows over a wide area in rainforests. Their natural home is in northeastern Queensland, Australia.
They are slow growing, and sometimes difficult to maintain. We need to keep them in a protected, moist, and shady climate.
Often, these plants are found growing on rocks favouring basalt formations. They are quite commonly found growing as true epiphytes in the Karri (Eucalyptus diversicolor) forests of Western Australia, growing close to streams, and rivers. We can find this species growing on the trunks, and branches of Sheoak (Casuarina decussata). Botanists have recorded their distribution over a large area of Australia. It is found growing in southeastern Queensland, southwestern Victoria, southeastern South Australia, and New South Wales. Nevertheless, outside the Karri forests of Western Australia it is rare.
Syn. Asplenium adiantoides, and Asplenium falcatum.
A warm, moist atmosphere is important for this fern. In a cold winter climate growing this plant in a heated greenhouse is necessary. Also, it should have a well-drained, moist potting mixture.
We can find them growing as terrestrials or as epiphytes in their natural habitat. Their natural home is on subtropical Pitcairn Island in the central South Pacific. It can also be found on the warm temperate Kermadec Islands, north of New Zealand. Further, it probably exists on other islands in that locality.