How to Grow Hens and Chicken Fern

Aptly named the Hen and Chicken Fern due to its rate of reproduction, this perennial fern is a popular plant to have in the shady spots in the garden. With its soft feather like leafy growth, it provides a lovely soft effect and is great for hanging pots or pots in sheltered courtyards as well.

Part shade to filtered sun

Regular watering

Well drained

All year. Suited to all but the cooler climates

How to grow hen and chicken ferns in a garden

Step 1

Choose a place in the garden that gets part shade to filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun. Prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 4

Mulch around the base with organic mulch such as bark chips, sugarcane or leaf mulch, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Step 5

Lightly feed every spring and autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

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How to grow hen and chicken ferns in a pot

Step 1

Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant. Position in the garden that receives part shade to filtered sun and is protected from the afternoon sun.

Step 2

Fill the pot with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots.

Step 4

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 5

Mulch around the base with organic mulch such as bark chips, sugarcane or leaf mulch, keeping it away from the base of the plant.

Step 6

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 7

Lightly feed every spring and autumn with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser.

Growing tips

These ferns are easy to propagate from the bulbs and new plants that form at the ends of the fronds. Cut the new plants off from the ends of the fronds and place into a good quality seed raising mix such as Yates Seed Raising Mix and water well until established.
Great for large pots, hanging baskets or sheltered areas in the garden.
This plant is a great introduction for kids in different propagation techniques or for use in therapeutic propagation sessions, due to the ease of planting and strike rate.