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Arachniodes standishii

Phonetic Spelling
a-rak-nee-OH-dees stan-DISH-she-eye
Description

Upside-down fern is a shade-loving herbaceous perennial in the Polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to China, Japan, and Korea.

This plant needs partial to deep shade in evenly moist soil with neutral to acid pH. It grows 1.5 to 2 feet in height and spreads 1 to 4 feet wide. It is semi-evergreen.

Its common name describes the unusual feature of the frond: the stipe twists so that the top surface of the frond faces down. It grows from slow-creeping rhizomes. 

The Upside-down fern is highly prized for its texture and appearance. It can be grown in containers, in a shade or rock garden, as a specimen plant, and in woodlands. 

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#easy to grow#lacy leaves#low maintenance#deer resistant#wet soils tolerant#th-touch
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#easy to grow#lacy leaves#low maintenance#deer resistant#wet soils tolerant#th-touch
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arachniodes
    Species:
    standishii
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China, Japan, Korea
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    heavy shade, deer
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Creeping
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plant reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    This plant has delicate, lacy, arching fronds that give it an upside-down appearance.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Heavy Shade
    Wet Soil