Parsley fern
Cryptogramma crispa · Pteridaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant parsley fern: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Parsley fern, Crispy fern
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Adult size
- 15 to 30 cm in height
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to -15°C (zones 5-9)
- Origin
- Mountainous regions of North America, Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter, slightly acidic
Care
Watering
Keep the soil constantly moist but never waterlogged. Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce slightly in autumn and winter, making sure the substrate doesn't dry out completely. Prefer bottom watering or gentle misting of the foliage.
Light and exposure
Place in partial shade or dappled light, away from direct sun rays that can burn delicate fronds. This fern appreciates a sheltered and humid environment, ideal near a north or east-facing window. Avoid warm drafts and overly dry locations.
Soil preparation
Use a humus-rich mixture: leaf mould, peat or coco fibre mixed with perlite or clay pellets for drainage. Slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5) works perfectly. Add well-decomposed compost each spring to enrich the substrate.
Fertiliser and feeding
Apply a diluted balanced fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10 type) every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer. Ferns are not heavy feeders; excessive feeding can damage fine roots. Reduce or stop feeding in autumn and winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Regularly remove dead or damaged fronds at the base to encourage new leaf growth. No severe pruning needed: this fern naturally grows in compact, airy clumps. Regular leaf cleaning allows better respiration.
Diseases and pests
Watch for spider mites and scale insects which thrive in dry air; increase humidity to prevent them. Ferns fear stagnant humidity, which promotes root rot and fungi. Ensure good air circulation and impeccable drainage.
Did you know?
Cryptogramma crispa is especially known for its remarkable leaf dimorphism: it produces two very distinct types of fronds, the sterile fronds (broad and crinkled) dedicated to photosynthesis and the fertile fronds (narrower and more elongated) that bear the sporangia. This phenomenon, rare among ferns, fascinated 19th-century botanists who eagerly collected this species in Western gardens.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Maidenhair fernAdiantum capillus-veneris
- Northern maidenhair fernAdiantum pedatum
- Cheilanthes sieberiCheilanthes sieberi
- Chinese ladder brakePteris vittata
- Adiantum aethiopicumAdiantum aethiopicum
- Goldback fernPentagramma triangularis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.