Scrambling Fern: Hawaii’s Dramatic Native Ground Cover
Meet the scrambling fern (Diplopterygium pinnatum), also known by its beautiful Hawaiian name uluhe lau nui. This spectacular native Hawaiian fern brings bold tropical drama to any garden lucky enough to host it. But before you start planning where to plant it, there’s something important you should know about this gorgeous green giant.
A Fern Worth Getting to Know
The scrambling fern isn’t your typical potted houseplant fern. This perennial beauty creates sweeping colonies of large, divided fronds that can transform a landscape with their lush, tropical appearance. True to its scrambling name, this fern spreads horizontally, making it an excellent ground cover choice for the right conditions.
What makes this fern particularly special is its impressive frond structure. Each frond is pinnately divided, creating layers of green that catch light and shadow beautifully throughout the day. It’s the kind of plant that makes visitors stop and ask, What is that gorgeous thing?
Where You’ll Find It Growing Wild
The scrambling fern is exclusively native to Hawaii, where it has adapted to the islands’ unique climate and growing conditions over thousands of years. You won’t find this beauty growing naturally anywhere else in the United States.
An Important Conservation Note
Here’s where things get serious: scrambling fern has a vulnerable conservation status. With only an estimated 3,000 to 10,000 individual plants remaining in the wild, this fern is considered at risk. This means if you’re interested in growing it, you absolutely must source it responsibly from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate rather than wild-collect their plants.
Think of it this way – by choosing responsibly sourced scrambling fern, you’re not just adding beauty to your garden, you’re supporting conservation efforts too.
Is This Fern Right for Your Garden?
Scrambling fern thrives in tropical conditions, specifically USDA hardiness zones 10-12. If you live outside these zones, this probably isn’t the fern for you. But if you’re gardening in Hawaii or other tropical locations, here’s what you need to know:
Perfect for:
- Native Hawaiian gardens
- Tropical landscape designs
- Naturalistic woodland areas
- Ground cover in shaded areas
- Gardens focused on conservation and native species
Not ideal for:
- Formal, manicured landscapes
- Small container gardens
- Areas with foot traffic (it needs space to spread)
- Full sun locations
Growing Conditions That Make It Happy
Scrambling fern has a facultative upland wetland status, which basically means it usually prefers well-draining areas but can handle some moisture. Here’s how to keep it thriving:
- Light: Partial shade to full shade – think dappled sunlight under trees
- Soil: Well-draining but consistently moist soil
- Water: Regular watering, especially during dry periods
- Space: Give it room to spread – this isn’t a compact plant
- Protection: Shield from strong winds that can damage the delicate fronds
Care Tips for Success
Once established, scrambling fern is relatively low-maintenance, but getting it started right is key:
- Plant in a location that mimics its natural habitat – think forest understory
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Water consistently but avoid waterlogged conditions
- Remove any damaged or dead fronds to keep the plant healthy
- Be patient – ferns can take time to establish and show their full potential
Supporting Wildlife (In Subtle Ways)
While ferns don’t produce flowers for pollinators, they still play important ecological roles. Scrambling fern provides shelter and habitat structure for small creatures and helps maintain the soil ecosystem that supports other native plants.
The Bottom Line
Scrambling fern is a stunning addition to tropical gardens, especially those focused on native Hawaiian plants. Its vulnerable status means you should only grow it if you can source it responsibly, but if you can, you’ll be rewarded with a dramatic, low-maintenance ground cover that connects your garden to Hawaii’s natural heritage.
Remember: conservation starts in our own backyards. By choosing native plants like scrambling fern from responsible sources, you’re helping preserve these beautiful species for future generations to enjoy.
