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Lepisorus bicolor

Phonetic Spelling
leh-PIS-or-us BY-koh-lor
Description

Ribbon Fern is a slow-growing fern that spreads by rhizomes and will form a clump in 2-3 years of about 2-3 feet. It grows 12-16 inches high and has a distinguishing polka-a-dot spore pattern that extends from leaf tip down to the center of the leaf back.

It prefers moist rich soil in part shade to shade. Use and a ground cover, in a container, or as a house plant.

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

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#fern#deer resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#houseplant#fern#deer resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lepisorus
    Species:
    bicolor
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Himalaya to China
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    15 inch long and 2 inch wide glossy upright green leaves with a wavy margin.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer