Walking Fern: The Fascinating Native Fern That Actually Walks
If you’re looking for a conversation starter in your shade garden, meet the walking fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum) – a truly unique native fern that lives up to its whimsical name. This isn’t your typical garden fern that stays put in one spot. The walking fern has developed a remarkable trick that makes it one of the most interesting plants you can grow in North American gardens.
What Makes Walking Fern Special
Walking fern gets its common name from its unusual growing habit. This perennial evergreen fern produces long, narrow, tapering fronds that can stretch out and touch the ground at their tips. When conditions are right, these tip-touching points develop roots and create new plants – essentially allowing the fern to walk across the landscape over time. It’s like nature’s own version of a slow-motion dance!
The botanical name Asplenium rhizophyllum literally means root leaf, which perfectly describes this fascinating reproductive strategy. You might also see this plant listed under its synonym Camptosorus rhizophyllus in older gardening references.
Where Walking Fern Calls Home
Walking fern is a proud native of eastern North America, naturally occurring across a wide range from southeastern Canada down through the eastern United States. You can find this delightful fern growing wild in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as in Ontario and Quebec.
Why Choose Walking Fern for Your Garden
There are several compelling reasons to consider adding walking fern to your landscape:
- Unique ground cover: Its spreading habit makes it an excellent living mulch for shaded areas
- Year-round interest: As an evergreen, it provides structure and color even in winter
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care
- Native wildlife support: Supports local ecosystems as part of the native plant community
- Conversation piece: The walking behavior never fails to intrigue garden visitors
Perfect Growing Conditions
Walking fern is happiest in conditions that mimic its natural woodland habitat. Here’s what this charming fern prefers:
- Light: Partial to full shade – direct sunlight can scorch the delicate fronds
- Soil: Well-draining, consistently moist soil with alkaline pH
- Special preference: Loves limestone-rich environments and often grows naturally on limestone outcrops
- Hardiness: Thrives in USDA zones 3-8, making it suitable for most temperate climates
Where to Use Walking Fern in Your Landscape
This versatile fern works beautifully in several garden settings:
- Shade gardens: Perfect for filling in under trees and large shrubs
- Rock gardens: Especially stunning when allowed to cascade over limestone rocks
- Woodland gardens: Creates natural-looking ground cover in naturalized areas
- Native plant gardens: An excellent choice for supporting local ecosystems
Planting and Care Tips
Growing walking fern successfully is easier than you might think:
- Best planting time: Spring, after the last frost
- Soil preparation: Amend heavy clay soils with compost; add limestone chips if your soil is acidic
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged
- Fertilizing: Usually unnecessary – this fern prefers lean, natural conditions
- Patience: Allow the fern time to establish and begin its walking process
What to Expect
Walking fern is a slow grower, so don’t expect instant gratification. The fronds typically reach 4-12 inches in length and create a low, spreading mat over time. The real magic happens as the plant matures and begins producing those characteristic rooting tips. In ideal conditions, a single plant can eventually create a small colony of interconnected ferns – your very own fern family tree!
While walking fern doesn’t produce flowers (being a fern and all), it offers something perhaps even more special: the wonder of watching a plant literally walk across your garden, one tiny step at a time. For native plant enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates nature’s ingenuity, walking fern is a must-have addition that brings both beauty and biological fascination to shaded garden spaces.
