Harts Tongue Fern Plant Care
Asplenium scolopendrium L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Asplenium scolopendrium, commonly known as the hart's-tongue fern, is an evergreen fern in the family Aspleniaceae native to the Northern Hemisphere.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Harts Tongue Fern?
Water Harts Tongue Fern 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.
What Is the Harts Tongue Fern?
Harts Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) belongs to the Aspleniaceae family within the Asplenium genus. Harts Tongue Fern is native to the Northern Hemisphere. Harts Tongue Fern is also known as Harts-tongue Fern, Harts-tongue, Harts Tongue.
Harts Tongue Fern displays a compact, clumping fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Harts Tongue Fern produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Harts Tongue Fern?
Asplenium scolopendrium 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 Harts Tongue Fern Need?
Harts Tongue Fern thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Harts Tongue Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Harts Tongue Fern Prefer?
Asplenium scolopendrium grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Harts Tongue Fern 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 Harts Tongue Fern?
Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Harts Tongue Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Harts Tongue Fern?
Feed Harts Tongue Fern 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 Harts Tongue Fern?
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 Harts Tongue Fern?
Harts Tongue Fern 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 Harts Tongue Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Harts Tongue Fern, 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 Harts Tongue Fern?
Harts Tongue Fern 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 Harts Tongue Fern Need?
Harts Tongue Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Harts Tongue Fern is native to the Northern Hemisphere.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Harts Tongue Fern 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.
Harts Tongue Fern 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 scolopendrium L., family Aspleniaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. 2: 1079. 1753 [1 May 1753]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Harts Tongue Fern, 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 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
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