Arthropteris tenella
climbing fern
Eastern Australia, New Zealand, southwest Pacific
Overview
Arthropteris tenella is a slender climbing fern of warm, moist forests in eastern Australia, New Zealand, and the southwest Pacific. It grows from a long, wiry, creeping rhizome that climbs tree trunks and scrambles over rocks, attaching as it goes. The fronds arise at intervals along the rhizome and are once-divided (pinnate), 4–12 inches (10–30 cm) long, with many small oblong leaflets that are mid-green and thin-textured. The fern climbs by its rhizome rather than by twining, reaching well up into the lower trunks of rainforest trees and tree ferns. Arthropteris tenella grows in rainforest, moist gullies, and shaded streamsides, on tree trunks, rocks, and banks where humidity stays high. It reproduces by spores carried in rows of small round structures on the undersides of the leaflets. It needs shade, shelter, and steady moisture, and the thin fronds are damaged by sun, drying wind, and frost. It grows in warm temperate to subtropical, frost-free or nearly frost-free climates.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, New Zealand, and the southwest Pacific. It grows in rainforest, moist gullies, and shaded streamsides on tree trunks, rocks, and banks.Suggested Uses
Arthropteris tenella is grown in ferneries, shade houses, and shaded, humid gardens in warm climates, where it climbs trunks, walls, and rockwork. In the wild it is part of the climbing-fern and epiphyte community of rainforest and moist gullies.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 5'
Bloom Information
As a fern, Arthropteris tenella does not flower. It reproduces by spores formed in rows of small round structures on the undersides of the leaflets, mainly in the warmer, moist months. Spores are released to grow into a new generation in shaded, humid sites.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
mid-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 3 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Arthropteris tenella grows in shade to part shade in warm, humid, sheltered positions, climbing tree trunks, rocks, or supports rather than growing in open soil. It needs steady moisture and high humidity, and the thin fronds are damaged by sun, drying wind, and frost. It is suited to frost-free or nearly frost-free climates and to ferneries, shade houses, and sheltered subtropical gardens. It grows from a creeping rhizome and spreads slowly along its support where conditions stay moist. Drying and exposure are the main causes of failure.Pruning
No regular pruning is needed for this climbing fern. Dead or damaged fronds break down naturally and can be removed to keep the plant tidy. The creeping rhizome is left in place, as it anchors and extends the fern along its support.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons