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The prehistoric plants spread a lot of grace and beauty in the garden with their graceful fronds. Ferns are easy to care for and easy to propagate. There are different possibilities. More on that below.

In a nutshell

  • dig up and divide large rootstocks
  • Division only possible in ferns with underground rhizomes
  • Cultivation from spores very tedious
  • Use brood or spore bulbs to propagate
  • Rooting of cuttings only in fern species with above-ground rhizomes

propagate ferns

True ferns (Polypodiopsida) are among the oldest plants on earth. In the garden, they also grow in places where no flowering plant would survive for long. There, the forest dwellers also like to multiply on their own. However, it is also possible to lend a hand with the propagation. This can usually be done very easily and without much effort. Below are four different ways to propagate ferns.

Stag's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)

Divide rootstocks

Ferns have very widely branched rhizomes (rootstocks). Therefore, a division of the rhizomes is a good way to propagate ferns. It's also the easiest method. However, this possibility only exists for ferns with underground rhizomes. These should be relatively large and strong. The best time for this is in spring. The procedure for a division is as follows:

  • Carefully dig out the entire rootstock
  • Shake off the soil well
  • Division into hand-sized pieces
  • Using the spade or a sharp knife
  • Pieces should have at least one or two shoots
  • Shoot buds are the beginnings of new frond funnels
  • Place pieces individually in pots
  • fill them with nutrient-poor seed soil
  • keep moist
  • Avoid waterlogging
  • set up outdoors, protected from the sun
  • Hibernation bright and frost-free
  • plant at destination the following spring
  • water well

Notice: The real ferns belong to the vascular spore plants. This results in no formation of flowers and fruits.

Propagation by tubers

On the underside of the leaf fronds are the so-called spore or brood bulbs. These are found along the midrib. Depending on the type of fern, they vary quite a bit in their appearance. They can therefore be line, point or kidney-shaped. Ferns should be propagated by tubers in late summer, when the spore tubers are well mature. However, there are two different options, one:

  • Simply bend the fronds with the bulbs carefully
  • lay on the ground and fasten with wire clips
  • Rooting within 3 to 5 weeks
  • then separate the new young plant from the mother plant

This method is not particularly labor-intensive, but the second way of propagation is a bit more labor-intensive:

  • cut off some fern fronds
  • remove lateral leaves along midrib
  • Fill the seed tray with nutrient-poor seed soil
  • moisten well
  • Cut the fronds into small pieces
  • place on substrate
  • fasten with wire clips
  • as soon as young plants appear, cut them off
  • place individually in pots
  • plant out the following year

Notice: All ferns are more or less poisonous. Gloves should be worn for all work and hands should be washed thoroughly afterwards.

sowing of spores

As already described in the previous propagation method, the spore nodules are located on the underside of the fronds along the midrib. These then contain the spores or ovules. For other plants, this corresponds to the seed. The "seed" of the fern is ripe when dust can be seen and felt on the underside of the fronds. This is usually in late summer. The method of multiplying ferns is not that easy, takes a long time and is not always successful:

  • cut a frond
  • put on a piece of paper
  • spore rows down
  • put in a warm place
  • leave for about two days
  • then spore particles fell off
  • Fill the seed tray with nutrient-poor potting soil
  • Scatter "seeds" on it
  • Caution: is very fine and flies away quickly
  • press well
  • do not cover with soil (light germs)
  • moisten well with a spray bottle
  • Stretch cling film or hood over it
  • keep moist
  • air once a day
  • otherwise risk of mold

With a lot of luck, a greenish coating will appear after about three months. After a few more months, the first little plants will appear. These must be potted individually. After a year, they can be planted out in the garden.

Notice: This method of propagating ferns does not work for all species. The only exceptions here are the shield fern (Polystichum), the royal fern (Osmunda regalis) and the writing fern (Asplenium ceterach).

Propagation by cuttings

However, this very proven method of propagating ferns only works with fern species with rhizomes that run above ground. Cuttings should preferably be cut in early summer. Various steps are necessary for this:

  • expose above-ground rhizomes
  • Take cuttings about 4 cm to 5 cm behind the growing point
  • Cutting should have at least one frond
  • Plant cuttings individually in pots with soil
  • water well and then keep moist
  • Avoid waterlogging
  • Put the plastic hood over it
  • daily control of humidity and ventilation
  • Rooting after 3 to 5 weeks
  • Transplant outdoors the following spring
Source: Blumenfischer~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Pelargonium peltatum cutting 2005-11-30, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

frequently asked Questions

Where in the garden do ferns feel comfortable?

Ferns are true forest dwellers, so their location should be similar to these conditions as well. They love loose, humus-rich, evenly moist soil. Waterlogging must be avoided at all costs. The place must be bright but shady. They feel very comfortable in the shade of trees. It is therefore advisable to let the leaves under shrubs and trees rot in autumn. Ferns will love it.

Are all ferns in the garden also hardy?

Not all. The deciduous and flowering ferns are hardy. In our latitudes, they survive the colder seasons very well without special winter protection. Only newly planted young plants should receive a light winter protection from leaves and brushwood. On the other hand, fern plants with above-ground rhizomes are usually only hardy down to -12°C. Here the fronds should be cut in half and tied together. A layer of leaves and twigs is advisable in the root area.

How do ferns reproduce in the wild?

In the wild, ferns reproduce generatively, but not by seeds, but by spore formation. These formations are mature in midsummer and are blown away by the wind in all directions. They also grow in places very far away from the mother plants. It takes a year from germination to the emergence of a new young plant.

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Garden plants