Overview

Polypodium vulgare is a matforming ferns in the genus Polypodium, part of the Polypodiaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 5-10 years. Polypodium vulgare grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and alkaline and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is low maintenance. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and underplanting of roses and shrubs. It is native to Belgium, Flemish Region and Walloon Region.

About

Polypodium vulgare, the common polypody, is an evergreen fern of the family Polypodiaceae. The name is derived from Greek poly- ("many") and pous, podos ("foot"). Polypody has traditional uses in cooking for its aroma and sweet taste, and in herbal medicine as a purgative and vermifuge. This species is expansive and highly adapted to many environments. It is native to Albania, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus and other regions. Mature plants reach roughly 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying evergreen foliage. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. It tolerates alkaline and neutral soils, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing, north-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Polypodium vulgare

About the genus

Polypodium is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Polypodioideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus is widely distributed throughout the world, with the highest species diversity in the tropics. The name is derived from Ancient Greek poly ("many") + podion, on account of the foot-like appearance of the rhizome and its branches.

Wikipedia contributors, "Polypodium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Polypodium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Polypodium

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Polypodium vulgare size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Ferns

Habit

Matforming

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.5-1 metres

Time to full height

5-10 years

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Native to

Belgium, Flemish Region, Walloon Region

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Polypodium vulgare

Cultivation

Prefers well-drained soil in partial shade to full sun; tolerant of a range of soil types including chalk, loam, and sand; requires moist but well-drained conditions; suitable for sheltered locations.

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds in spring to maintain appearance and encourage healthy growth.

Propagation

Division, Spores

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions