Elegant lacy foliage

Aptly named the Hen and Chicken Fern (Asplenium bulbiferum) due to its rate of reproduction, this perennial fern is a popular plant to have in the shady spots in the garden. With its soft feather-like leafy growth, it provides a lovely soft effect and is great for hanging pots or pots in sheltered courtyards as well.

How to grow hen and chicken ferns in a garden

Choose a place in the garden that gets part shade to filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun. Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.

Position in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or leaf mulch, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Feed regularly during the growing season with Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.

How to grow hen and chicken ferns in a pot

Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant. Position in the garden in a place that receives part shade to filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun.

Fill the pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.

Remove the plant from the container and gently tease the roots.

Position in the hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Mulch around the base with organic mulch such as bark chips, woodchip or leaf mulch, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Feed regularly during the growing season with Yates Thrive Fish Blood & Bone Plant Food Concentrate.

Growing tips

These ferns are easy to propagate from the bulbs and new plants that form at the ends of the fronds. Cut the new plants from the ends of the fronds and place them into a good quality seed-raising mix such as Yates Black Magic Seed Raising Mix and water well until established.

The ferns are great for large pots, hanging baskets or sheltered areas in the garden.

This plant is a great introduction for kids in different propagation techniques or for use in therapeutic propagation sessions, due to the ease of planting and the strike rate.

— Courtesy of Yates