Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is an evergreen fern with a tropical look. This glossy green native fern with elegant, smooth, unserrated edged fronds that are 8 -16 inches in length. Hart’s Tongue is native to Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Disjunct North American populations are found in parts of Ontario Canada, New York, Michigan, Tennessee, and Alabama. and has been listed “U.S. federally threatened” since 1993.

Hart’s Tongue Fern Hart’s fern makes an unusually beautiful plant. Its natural habitat is in moderate shaded, moist, lush deciduous woodlands. You’ll find its roots embedded in moist soil within small cracks in large rocks or rock fissures (USDA hardiness zones 5-9). It thrives in a humus-rich, well-drained soil. Raised spore sacs form on underside of fronds in late spring.

Planted in a garden/landscape environment, lush green hart’s tongue fern grows slowly, yet requires little attention apart from annual mulching and tidying in spring. It tolerates both light to heavy soils but does not handle waterlogged soil and declines from root rot. Be certain the soil does not become waterlogged or surface compacted.

While a majority of ferns prefer growing in slightly acidic soil, Hart’s Tongue prefers an alkaline to slightly acidic soil; optimum pH range is 6.8 – 8.5. In containers use a potting mixture with a high humus level that retains moisture, is well aerated, and drains adequately good drainage. It prefers growing in chalky limestone soils- principally high levels comprised of calcium carbonate. Add small handful of dolomitic limestone (DL) to the planting hole or 1-2 tablespoons of DL to ferns growing in containers.

Hart’s Tongue Fern has been awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM) from The Royal Horticultural Society.