Hemionitis Spleenwort Plant Care
Asplenium hemionitis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asplenium hemionitis is a species of fern native to Macaronesia, Northwest Africa and mainland Portugal. It inhabits humid woods and other shady areas, sometimes in uncovered slopes subject to high ocean humidity.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Water Hemionitis Spleenwort every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hemionitis Spleenwort Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Hemionitis Spleenwort (Asplenium hemionitis) belongs to the Aspleniaceae family within the Asplenium genus. Hemionitis Spleenwort is native to Macaronesia, Northwest Africa and mainland Portugal. Hemionitis Spleenwort is also known as Wall Rue.
Hemionitis Spleenwort displays a compact, clumping fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hemionitis Spleenwort produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Asplenium hemionitis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hemionitis Spleenwort Need?
Hemionitis Spleenwort thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Hemionitis Spleenwort in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hemionitis Spleenwort Prefer?
Asplenium hemionitis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Hemionitis Spleenwort prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Hemionitis Spleenwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Feed Hemionitis Spleenwort every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Hemionitis Spleenwort can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to birds nest fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hemionitis Spleenwort Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hemionitis Spleenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hemionitis Spleenwort?
Hemionitis Spleenwort is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hemionitis Spleenwort Need?
Hemionitis Spleenwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hemionitis Spleenwort is native to Macaronesia, Northwest Africa and mainland Portugal. In cooler regions, grow Hemionitis Spleenwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hemionitis Spleenwort is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Asplenium genus — compare its care with other Asplenium species on PlantoScan.
Asplenium is part of the Aspleniaceae plant family — browse all Aspleniaceae genera and species.
Hemionitis Spleenwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Asplenium Species
Other Asplenium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Asplenium hemionitis L., family Aspleniaceae — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hemionitis Spleenwort, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
