Licorice Fern: The Sweet-Tasting Native That’s Perfect for Shady Spots
If you’ve ever wandered through the mossy forests of the Pacific Northwest and caught a glimpse of delicate green fronds sprouting from tree trunks and rocky outcrops, you’ve likely encountered the charming licorice fern. This delightful native has a secret that sets it apart from other ferns – its rhizomes taste remarkably like licorice root, earning it both its common name and a special place in Pacific Northwest folklore.
What Makes Licorice Fern Special?
Polypodium glycyrrhiza is a perennial fern that brings an understated elegance to any shade garden. Unlike many ferns that form large clumps, licorice fern creates charming colonies of individual fronds that emerge directly from creeping rhizomes. These bright green, lance-shaped fronds typically reach 6 to 18 inches tall and feature deeply divided leaflets that give them a delicate, lacy appearance.
What really makes this fern fascinating is its sweet-tasting underground stems (rhizomes). Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have long chewed these rhizomes as a treat and used them medicinally. While we don’t recommend harvesting from wild populations, this unique characteristic makes it a wonderful conversation starter in your garden.
Where It Calls Home
Licorice fern is native to the western regions of North America, naturally growing in British Columbia, Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. In the wild, you’ll find it growing as an epiphyte on tree bark (especially big leaf maples and Douglas firs) and tucked into rocky crevices where it can capture moisture from the air.
Why Your Garden Will Love This Native Fern
This Pacific Northwest native offers several compelling reasons to include it in your landscape:
- Low maintenance: Once established, licorice fern requires minimal care
- Drought tolerant: It can survive dry summers by going dormant, then bouncing back with fall rains
- Unique growing habit: Unlike ground-dwelling ferns, it can thrive on tree trunks and in rock gardens
- Year-round interest: Evergreen in mild climates, providing structure even in winter
- Native wildlife support: Provides habitat and cover for small woodland creatures
Perfect Garden Companions
Licorice fern shines in woodland and shade gardens, where it pairs beautifully with other Pacific Northwest natives like:
- Western red cedar
- Sword fern
- Coral bells
- Wild ginger
- Salmonberry
It’s particularly stunning when allowed to establish on the bark of mature trees or nestled between rocks in a shaded rock garden.
Growing Conditions and Care
Licorice fern thrives in USDA hardiness zones 6-9 and prefers conditions that mimic its natural forest habitat:
- Light: Partial to full shade
- Soil: Well-draining, organic-rich soil or growing medium
- Moisture: Consistent moisture during growing season, but can tolerate summer drought
- Humidity: Benefits from high humidity environments
Planting and Establishment Tips
Getting licorice fern established in your garden is easier than you might think:
- Plant rhizomes in fall or early spring when natural moisture is abundant
- Create planting pockets filled with a mix of compost, bark chips, and native soil
- For tree mounting, secure rhizomes in bark crevices with moss and fishing line
- Keep consistently moist until established (usually one growing season)
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Seasonal Behavior
One of the most endearing qualities of licorice fern is its seasonal rhythm. In areas with dry summers, the fronds may die back completely, causing new gardeners to worry they’ve lost their plant. Don’t panic! This is perfectly normal behavior. Come fall, with the return of moisture, fresh green fronds will emerge from the dormant rhizomes.
Is Licorice Fern Right for Your Garden?
This native fern is an excellent choice if you’re looking to create a low-maintenance, naturalistic garden that celebrates Pacific Northwest flora. It’s particularly well-suited for gardeners who:
- Want to support native ecosystems
- Have challenging shady, rocky, or tree-dominated areas to plant
- Appreciate subtle, understated beauty over flashy displays
- Prefer plants that work with natural seasonal rhythms
While licorice fern may not provide the bold statement of larger ferns or the bright flowers of perennials, it offers something equally valuable – a connection to the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest and the quiet beauty of plants that have thrived here for millennia. Give this sweet little native a try, and you’ll discover why it’s been treasured by Pacific Northwest gardeners and indigenous peoples for generations.
