Ferns🌿 Native to the NetherlandsVery hardy — tolerates frost down to -15°C

Rustyback

Name: Rustyback (Asplenium ceterach)
Brand: HSMN Planten
SKU: 6a8b54645e18c5d0b30524be

Asplenium ceterach

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Rustyback Fern (Asplenium ceterach) is a small, native, evergreen fern with leathery, deeply lobed fronds. The underside of the leaves is densely covered with silvery to rust-brown scales. During dry periods, the leaf rolls inwards, protecting the plant from moisture loss with its scaly underside. The species grows on warm, calcareous rocks and old walls with very little substrate. A sunny to semi-shaded, sheltered, and well-drained location is necessary. The plant survives prolonged dry periods by rolling its leaves.

Specific care needed

Plant in a warm, lime-rich wall joint or rock crevice with very good drainage. Protect against prolonged winter wetness. Provide only limited water and use no acidic potting soil or heavy nutrient-rich earth.

Year calendar

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

Pruning period

Do not prune. Remove only completely loose and dead material.

Botanical profile

Site & soil

Sun, Half shade

Soil type: Sand, Loam

Moisture need: Dry

pH: Neutral (6.5–7.5), Chalky (>7.5)

Nutrient richness: Nutrient-poor, Moderately nutrient-rich

Humus content: Humus-poor

Water drainage: Strongly draining, Well draining

Appearance & season

Mature height: 5-20cm

Bloom: Niet van toepassing

Autumn colour: Evergreen. In dry conditions, the plant may look brown as the leaves roll up.

Properties

Salt sensitive: Yes

Edible: No

Do not consume and never harvest from the wild.

Scent: No striking scent. The dry, leathery foliage barely emits any fragrance.

Creeping rhizome: No

Ecological value

Rustyback fern forms a special microhabitat on warm walls and rocks. Small mites, spiders, beetles, springtails, and snails live between the scales, leaves, and roots. Specialized fern-feeders can utilize the leaves. The evergreen clump is present year-round and contributes to varied vegetation on stones, mosses, and lichens. For birds and mammals, its significance is limited due to its small size.

Food web & Biodiversity

🐛 Caterpillars & mothsUseful

🐝 Bees & bumblebeesLimited

🪰 HoverfliesUseful

🦋 ButterfliesUseful

🪲 Beetles & insectsUseful

🐦 BirdsUseful

🐿️ MammalsUseful

🐞 Other animalsUseful

The main value lies in the microhabitat on warm, dry walls. Small insects and other invertebrates find food and shelter there. Larger animals benefit only to a limited extent, but due to its rarity, every suitable growth site is ecologically important.

Distribution in the Netherlands