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Great Plant Pick: Polypodium glycyrrhiza aka licorice fern

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 13, 2020

By Richie Steffen

The native licorice fern grows just as well in a garden bed as it does on a dead tree trunk or log. (Richie Steffen)
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The native licorice fern grows just as well in a garden bed as it does on a dead tree trunk or log. (Richie Steffen)
The native licorice fern grows just as well in a garden bed as it does on a dead tree trunk or log. (Richie Steffen)

What: Almost omnipresent in the crooks of big-leaf maples throughout the forests of the maritime Pacific Northwest, licorice fern makes a fantastic garden addition. What many don’t realize is Polypodium glycyrrhiza will grow in a garden bed as well as it does on dead tree trunk. The dark green fronds add a wonderful fern element to a woodland garden or shady bed. Just remember when planting that it is summer dormant so, if you don’t want an empty spot at that time you may want to place another plant nearby that will provide cover for that area, but one that will go winter dormant so the licorice fern can stand out.

Where: Plant this fern in light to dappled or deep shade in a garden bed with well-drained soil — or on a dead tree trunk or log.

Size: This native plant will grow to be 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide when mature.

Care: Licorice fern is drought tolerant when established. This summer dormant fern will not need summer watering.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks

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