About
Cheilanthes tomentosa is an evergreen fern characterized by its dark grey-green fronds that range from 15 to 30 centimeters in length. The undersides of the leaves are coated with silvery scales, while the stems exhibit a purple-black coloration.
About the genus
Cheilanthes are generally evergreen ferns that form tight clusters of small fronds on glossy, frequently dark stalks.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, South-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Conservatory Greenhouse, Ferns
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
- Native to
- S USA, Mexico
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Will not tolerate winter wet. Grow in sharply-drained, gritty, humus-rich soil in full sun, with protection from winter rain. Otherwise grow under glass in full light, with low humidity and good ventilation, in a mix of equal parts peat-free, loam-based potting compost and coarse grit plus 10 percent added charcoal, and water sparingly. See how to grow ferns for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Sow spores at 16°C as soon as ripe. Division in spring is possible, but rhizomes resent disturbance
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- Fungal root rot may be a problem under glass