How to Plant a Leatherleaf Fern

The leatherleaf fern grows low to the ground and enjoys a spot in the shade, making it an ideal ground cover for dark areas of the garden. Plant it around water features, in shaded shrub beds and border areas or en masse to add year-round greenery to your garden. Its symmetrical, triangle-shaped fronds add dimension to cut flower arraignments. Look for this fern under the scientific name Rumohra adiantiformis.

Shovel

Instructions

- 1
  Plant leatherleaf ferns in the fall or winter when the weather is cool and damp. You can plant anytime of year, but late spring and summer planting requires more water until the plants get established.
- 2
  Dig a hole in the desired location. Using a shovel, remove enough soil so that the planting hole is slightly wider than the soil ball around the fern's roots.
- 3
  Grasp the base of the leatherleaf fern in one hand and slide the nursery pot away from the roots. Wiggle or squeeze the pot to get it to slide loose. If your fern came from the nursery wrapped in plastic, remove the roots from the packing material.
- 4
  Place the leatherleaf fern upright in the planting hole. Support it with one hand while you push the soil back around the roots with the other hand. Keep the area where the fronds meet the roots level with the soil line.
- 5
  Plant multiple leatherleaf ferns 24 to 36 inches appart. As the ferns grow, they will create a dense, even ground cover without being overcrowded.
- 6
  Water each leatherleaf fern thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots. Feel the soil at least once a day during hot, dry weather. When it feels dry under your finger tips, soak the area until the soil is damp to the base of the planting hole.

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