Hen and Chicken Fern | Asplenium bulbiferum | 200mm Hanging Basket

Product Description

A fern that comes with its own little family? How cute is that! Meet the Hen and Chicken Fern, a wonderfully lush, feathery beauty with cascading green fronds and a rather clever trick up its sleeve. Unlike your average fern, Asplenium bulbiferum can produce tiny baby ferns directly on its mature leaves. Yep, little chickens growing on the mother hen! Nature really is something else.

With its beautifully divided, lace-like foliage and naturally arching growth habit, this gorgeous fern brings softness, movement and plenty of leafy texture to any space. And in this generous 200mm hanging basket, its long, delicate fronds can spill gracefully over the edges, creating a lovely waterfall of greenery. Perfect for a bright bathroom, sheltered verandah or anywhere that could use a little woodland charm.

Native to New Zealand, the Hen and Chicken Fern is a fantastic choice for fern lovers who enjoy watching their plants grow and change. Give it filtered light, consistent moisture and a little humidity, and it'll reward you with fresh green fronds and, when mature, possibly a whole new generation of tiny ferns. A beautiful, rewarding plant with a little botanical magic thrown in!

Why You'll Love It

• Beautifully delicate, finely divided fronds that create a soft, feathery appearance
• Naturally arching and cascading growth that's perfect for hanging baskets
• Can produce adorable baby ferns directly on its mature fronds
• A lush, generous 200mm basket that brings instant greenery to your space
• A fascinating and rewarding fern that's full of character

The Details

• Botanical Name: Asplenium bulbiferum
• Common Name: Hen and Chicken Fern, Mother Spleenwort
• Pot Size: 200mm Hanging Basket
• Plant Type: Evergreen Terrestrial Fern

Light

Prefers bright, indirect light or a gently shaded position that mimics its natural woodland environment. Can tolerate moderate light, although growth may slow. Avoid harsh, direct afternoon sunlight, which can scorch its delicate fronds.

A sheltered outdoor position with filtered light can also suit this fern, provided it's protected from hot sun, drying winds and extreme temperatures.

Watering

Keep the potting mix consistently lightly moist, allowing just the surface to begin drying between waterings. Water thoroughly, ensuring excess water can drain freely from the basket. Avoid allowing the mix to dry out completely, as prolonged dryness can cause browning and crispy fronds.

Hanging baskets can dry out faster than traditional pots, particularly during warmer weather, so check the moisture level regularly. While this fern appreciates moisture, constantly waterlogged conditions can damage its roots.

Feeding

Feed year-round with a diluted, balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage and steady growth. Ferns are relatively light feeders, so a weaker solution applied occasionally is generally sufficient.

Adjust feeding frequency according to its growth rate, reducing applications during cooler periods when growth naturally slows. Avoid overfertilising, which can damage the delicate roots and contribute to browning leaf tips.

Growing

Prefers a loose, moisture-retentive but well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. Unlike many epiphytic ferns, Asplenium bulbiferum naturally grows in soil and amongst the organic material of moist forest floors, so it appreciates a mix that holds some moisture without becoming compacted or soggy.

Enjoys moderate to high humidity, good airflow and protection from hot, drying conditions. Although it can tolerate cooler temperatures better than many tropical ferns, protect container-grown plants from frost and extreme temperature changes.

Its long, arching fronds make it particularly well suited to hanging baskets and elevated planters. Remove ageing or damaged fronds at the base with clean, sharp snips to keep the plant looking fresh and encourage healthy new growth.

Pet Friendly?

Yes! Asplenium bulbiferum is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a lovely option for pet-friendly households.

As with any plant, it's still best to discourage curious pets from chewing on the foliage, as eating large amounts of plant material can cause digestive upset.

Good to Know

Here's where things get really interesting! The Hen and Chicken Fern gets its name from its ability to produce tiny plantlets, known as bulbils, directly on the surface of its mature fronds. These little baby ferns can eventually develop their own roots and grow into independent plants.

In its natural environment, the mature fronds often arch towards the ground, allowing the plantlets to make contact with the soil and establish themselves. You can recreate this at home by gently placing a developing plantlet onto moist potting mix while it's still attached to the parent frond.

Not every frond will produce babies, and younger plants may take time to develop this characteristic. Even without its little chickens, the beautifully divided foliage makes this fern a gorgeous addition to any indoor jungle.

• We photograph as many of our plants as possible; however, some listings may occasionally use supplier images.

• As plants are living things, every plant is unique and natural variations in size, colour and fullness should be expected.

• The plant you receive may not be the exact one pictured, but we'll always hand-pick a beautiful, healthy plant we'd happily display in our own home.

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