American Climbing Fern: A Rare Native Treasure Worth Protecting
Meet the American climbing fern (Lygodium palmatum), one of North America’s most unusual and enchanting native plants. Unlike typical ferns that form neat clumps, this remarkable species has a secret talent: it climbs! With its delicate, palm-shaped fronds and twining stems, it’s truly a botanical curiosity that deserves our attention and protection.
What Makes This Fern So Special?
The American climbing fern is a perennial that breaks all the fern rules. Instead of staying put in a tidy mound, it sends out long, wiry stems that can climb and twine through other vegetation, reaching heights of 3-6 feet or more. Each frond is distinctively palm-shaped (hence palmatum), with finger-like leaflets that create an almost tropical appearance despite being perfectly hardy in northern climates.
This isn’t your typical forb or herb – it’s a vascular plant that lacks woody tissue but has a climbing growth habit that sets it apart from nearly every other fern species in North America.
Where Does It Call Home?
As a native species to the lower 48 states, the American climbing fern has a surprisingly wide but patchy distribution. You can find it growing naturally across the eastern United States, from the northern reaches of New Hampshire and Vermont down to the warm climates of Florida and Alabama. It spans from the Atlantic coast westward through states like Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.
The states where this climbing wonder grows include: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
A Word of Caution: This Fern Needs Our Protection
Here’s where things get serious. The American climbing fern is considered rare in several states, with particularly concerning conservation status in Alabama (S1 – critically imperiled) and New Jersey (S2 – imperiled, with special Pinelands and Highlands protections). This means that wild populations are struggling and need our help to survive.
If you’re interested in growing this unique fern, please only source it from responsible nurseries that propagate their own plants rather than collecting from wild populations. Never collect this species from the wild, as doing so could harm already vulnerable populations.
The Perfect Home for a Climbing Fern
Understanding where American climbing fern thrives in nature helps us create the right conditions in our gardens. This species has a Facultative Wetland status across all regions where it grows, meaning it usually prefers wetland conditions but can occasionally tolerate drier sites.
In the wild, you’ll typically find it in:
- Acidic bogs and swamps
- Moist woodland edges
- Streamside areas with high humidity
- Areas with rich, organic soil
Growing Conditions and Care
If you’re lucky enough to source this rare beauty responsibly, here’s how to keep it happy:
Hardiness: Zones 3-9, making it surprisingly cold-tolerant for such a delicate-looking plant.
Light: Partial to full shade – think dappled woodland light rather than full sun.
Soil: Consistently moist to wet, acidic soil rich in organic matter. It absolutely hates to dry out.
Humidity: High humidity is essential – this isn’t a fern for dry climates or xeriscaping.
Support: Provide small shrubs, grasses, or other plants for it to climb through, or install subtle supports.
Garden Design Ideas
When grown responsibly, American climbing fern can add unique texture and movement to:
- Native plant gardens with a focus on rare species conservation
- Bog gardens and rain gardens
- Woodland understory plantings
- Naturalized areas near water features
- Educational gardens highlighting rare native species
Wildlife and Ecosystem Benefits
While ferns don’t produce flowers to attract pollinators, they play important ecological roles. The American climbing fern provides habitat structure for small creatures and contributes to the complex web of native plant communities in wetland and woodland ecosystems.
The Bottom Line
The American climbing fern is absolutely worth growing – if you can source it responsibly. Its unique climbing habit, beautiful palmate fronds, and fascinating growth pattern make it a true conversation starter. However, its rarity status means we all have a responsibility to protect wild populations.
Consider this fern for your garden only if you can obtain nursery-propagated plants and provide the consistently moist, shaded conditions it requires. By growing rare natives responsibly, we become part of the conservation solution while enjoying one of North America’s most distinctive fern species.
Remember: garden with purpose, source responsibly, and help preserve these botanical treasures for future generations to enjoy.
