Ferns🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -25°C

Common polypody

Polypodium vulgare

From€6.45incl. VAT

Select a size to order

Choose a size

–

Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) is an originally native, evergreen fern with leathery, once-pinnate leaves. The leaves grow individually from a creeping rhizome. Round orange-brown sori lie in rows on the underside of the leaves and have no separate indusium. The species grows in forests, heaths, dunes, hedges, on old walls, tree bases, rocks, and moss-covered trunks. Common Polypody tolerates more dryness than many other ferns. Via the rhizome, it can slowly form a loose, evergreen mat.

Specific care needed

Use airy, nutrient-poor soil with good drainage. Do not bury the creeping rhizome deeply. Avoid heavy clay, permanently wet soil, and strong fertilization.

Year calendar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Pruning period

✂️Best pruning period: Feb–Mar

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
✂️ Pruning period

Best pruning period

Remove only damaged or completely dead leaves. Healthy evergreen leaves must remain standing.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Half shade, Shade

Soil type: Sand, Loam, Humus-rich

Moisture need: Dry, Moderately moist

pH: Acidic (<5.5), Slightly acidic (5.5–6.5)

Nutrient richness: Very nutrient-poor, Nutrient-poor

Humus content: Humus-poor, Moderately humus-rich

Water drainage: Strongly draining, Well draining

Appearance & season

Mature height: 10-40cm

Bloom: Niet van toepassing

Autumn colour: Evergreen and without noticeable autumn color.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

The rhizome was used historically, but consumption is not recommended.

Scent: No distinctive odor. The rhizome and bruised leaves can smell slightly earthy and somewhat sweet.

Creeping rhizome: Yes

This fern has a creeping rhizome that can spread underground — give it room or keep it in check with a root barrier.

Ecological value

Common Polypody is a host plant for various specialized caterpillars and other small fern-feeders. Beetles, leaf miners, springtails, and spiders also find food and shelter among the leaves. The evergreen mat holds loose organic material and offers year-round cover for soil animals. Birds search among the leaves for insects and snails. The rhizome helps hold thin layers of humus together on slopes, trees, and stones.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsVery useful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesUseful

🪲 Beetles & insectsVery useful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsUseful

The leaves can be eaten by specialized fern caterpillars and other small insects. The evergreen growth also provides long-term cover for soil fauna. For mammals, the species is mainly significant as limited shelter and not as an important food source.

Distribution in the Netherlands