Pleopeltis spp.
shielded ferns
Tropical and warm-temperate Americas and Africa
Overview
Pleopeltis spp. is a genus of about 90 epiphytic and rock-dwelling ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, ranging across the warmer parts of the Americas and into Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. The simple to pinnatifid fronds measure 4-20 inches (10-50 cm) long and are leathery, with the undersides and the creeping rhizome cloaked in peltate (shield-shaped) scales that give the genus its name. Rounded sori sit in rows along either side of the midrib and lack the membranous indusium found in many other ferns. The rhizomes spread across bark and shaded rock rather than rooting in soil, so plants form slow mats instead of upright crowns. One widespread member, P. polypodioides, the resurrection fern, curls its fronds and appears lifeless during drought, then rehydrates and turns green within hours of rain. Most species hold their fronds through the year in frost-free climates. As epiphytes adapted to humid air and sharp drainage, Pleopeltis spp. species decline in waterlogged or heavy garden soil and tolerate little direct midday sun.
Native Range
Native to tropical and warm-temperate regions of the Americas, from the southeastern United States south to Argentina, with additional species in sub-Saharan Africa and on Indian Ocean islands.Suggested Uses
Grown as a mounted or potted epiphyte in greenhouses, terrariums, and shaded patios. In frost-free regions the hardier species naturalize on tree trunks, walls, and shaded rockwork at groundcover scale.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'8"
Width/Spread6" - 2'
Colors
Foliage Colors
Fall Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
As ferns, Pleopeltis spp. species produce no flowers. They reproduce from spores shed by the round sori on the frond undersides, which mature mainly through the warm, humid months of summer and autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Tolerates up to 4 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Time to Maturity
2-4 years to form mature clumps
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
In cultivation Pleopeltis spp. grows in bright indirect light to partial shade, in a coarse free-draining epiphyte mix, or mounted on bark or a slab. Most species hold steady at 60-80°F (16-27°C) with humidity above 50 percent. The growing medium is left to dry slightly at the surface between waterings, since the creeping rhizomes decay in standing moisture. Hardiness varies across the genus: P. polypodioides tolerates roughly -10°F (-23°C, USDA zone 6), while tropical species are limited to zones 10-11. A dilute balanced fertilizer applied monthly during spring and summer supports steady growth.Pruning
Routine pruning is not needed. Dead or damaged fronds can be cut back to the rhizome in any season. Crowded mats divide in spring by severing the rhizome into sections, each kept with several fronds and active growing tips.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons