Resurrection Fern
Pleopeltis polypodioides
An epiphytic fern that grows on the limbs of live oaks and other hardwoods, curling into a gray-brown husk during drought and unfurling green within hours of rain. It takes only support from its host, not nutrients, and does no harm. Grown on bark slabs or established on mature trees in humid Southeastern gardens.
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Type
- fern
- Lifespan
- perennial
- Height
- 0.5–1 ft
- Spacing
- 0.5–1.33 ft apart
- Light
- part shade, shade
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Soil pH
- neutral
- Landscape uses
- rain garden
- Native states
- AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV