Wherry's Spleenwort Plant Care

Asplenium ×wherryi D.M.Sm.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Asplenium × wherryi, known as Wherry's spleenwort, is a rare hybrid fern of the Appalachian Mountains. The sterile triploid offspring of mountain spleenwort (A.

🪴Houseplants🌿Ferns
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

60–75°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Wherry's Spleenwort?

Water Wherry's 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.

What Is the Wherry's Spleenwort?

Wherry's Spleenwort (Asplenium ×wherryi) belongs to the Aspleniaceae family within the Asplenium genus. Wherry's Spleenwort is native to 1961, and the species was named in his honor.

Wherry's Spleenwort displays a compact, clumping fern growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Wherry's Spleenwort produces non-flowering plant.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Wherry's Spleenwort?

Asplenium ×wherryi 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 Wherry's Spleenwort Need?

Wherry's Spleenwort thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort Prefer?

Asplenium ×wherryi grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort?

Moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Wherry's Spleenwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Wherry's Spleenwort?

Feed Wherry's 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 Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort?

Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort?

Wherry's 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 Wherry's Spleenwort Need?

Wherry's Spleenwort grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wherry's Spleenwort is native to 1961, and the species was named in his honor. In cooler regions, grow Wherry's Spleenwort as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Wherry's 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.

Wherry's Spleenwort thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

Related Plant Care Guides

Closely related plants with similar care requirements:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Asplenium ×wherryi D.M.Sm., family Aspleniaceae (first published in T. Bryant & D. Tate, Amer. Fern. J. 51: 72, f.1-5. 1961) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wherry's 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.

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