Fern, Sensitive Fern, Houseplant

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SKU
10401708-C
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Description

Touch this plant and the tender leaflets close, hence the the name; this ferny gem is readily propagated by spores living in large colonies, however it is short lived in each location

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Sensitive Fern | Onoclea sensibilis

Hardiness Zone:  4a

Other Names:  Bead Fern

Brand:  Gertens

Description:

Touch this plant and the tender leaflets close, hence the the name; this ferny gem is readily propagated by spores living in large colonies, however it is short lived in each location

Ornamental Features

Sensitive Fern is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental upright and spreading habit of growth. Its serrated ferny bipinnately compound leaves remain light green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Sensitive Fern is an herbaceous fern with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Invasive

Sensitive Fern is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Groundcover
  • Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
  • Bog Gardens

Planting & Growing

Sensitive Fern will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in moist to wet soil, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. This species is native to parts of North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by division.

More Information

Plant Life Cycle Annual

Product Questions (15)

Gertens carries annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, water plants, house plants, edibles, cacti/succulents, seasonal blooming holiday plants and a wide variety of bulbs and seeds!
Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season (spring – fall/frost). Perennials are plants that live for more than two growing seasons. They die back in winter and re-emerge in spring. ...
Hardiness is the capacity of a cultivated plant to withstand adverse conditions, usually its tolerance of low temperature. Plants are given a hardiness rating by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 11 zones based on the coldest or warmest temperature...
Tropical plants are usually enjoyed for the summer and then discarded or brought indoors for the winter. Some tropicals go dormant in winter and can be kept in a dark cool place. They do need to be watered infrequently to keep their roots moist. Other...
Spider mites are common on house plants in our warm dry homes but are easily controlled with diluted rubbing alcohol or dish soup sprayed on the infected plant. Pyrethrin is an organic insecticide that will kill most insects on houseplants. The most ...
Yes! Apply neem oil early in the morning or at night when beneficial insects are dormant. This also protects the foliage from burning from the combination of sunlight and the oil. Keep in mind that it does take time for neem oil to work and you may need...
Plants growing in pots should be repotted when the roots start growing out of the drain holes. Typically, the new pot should be just one size larger than the pot it’s been growing in. Never use garden soil in a pot. Always use a soilless container mix...
Indoor lighting and supplement lighting are big topics. Fluorescent lights have been used to grow seedlings and must be within inches of the plants to be useful. The introduction of LED lights has improved the usefulness of grow lights dramatically. ...
Yes, you can overwater plants. Especially in pots but also in the ground, however, planting in the ground allows for better water dispersion so the odds of overwatering are less. Low lying areas may be more prone to flooding. Areas with clay soil also...
A rough estimate for the last frost date here in zone 4b is the first week of May. This is not exact, as Minnesota weather can be variable, but it does help for plantings.
Pottery for depends on the houseplant. For plants which like to be drier at the root, such as: palms, citrus, succulents, and cacti, use an unglazed terracotta pot. For houseplants...
Use ant repellents.  Terro = Grease Ants Revenge = Garden Ants NOTE: Before bringing...
Root stimulators provide a hormone to the root system to recover faster from any damage done during the transplant process. This will also help the roots grow faster and stronger. To view Gertens recommended root stimulator, click ...
Full sun is six or more hours of direct sunlight (Note: afternoon sun is the hottest). West side: plants that like it hot and dry.  Part sun is four to six hours of sunlight including some afternoon...
Mulch helps stabilizes soil moisture and temperature. Gertens experts recommend Red Cedar mulch, from that fact that the cedar oil repels soft body insects. Place mulch 2 ...
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