Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)
Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes).
This plant has several common names including: maidenhair spleenwort, common spleenwort, English maidenhair, green spleenwort or waterwort.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: maidenhair spleenwort, common spleenwort, English maidenhair, green spleenwort, waterwort
Scientific name: Asplenium trichomanes
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse, Ferns
Habit: Tufted
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full shade, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Architectural, City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) – Nicolas Weghaupt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Other types of Asplenium to consider:
See all Asplenium
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Asplenium trichomanes likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) is a plant that should be grown in shade or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) – Petr Filippov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
