Polystichum polyblepharum

polystichum is a large genus which consists of about 500 fern species. Most of them are Asian taxons and 208 alone are of Chinese origin. This fern has a cute name in Latin – polyblepharum which means ‘many eyelashes’. Its common English name refers to tassel as well as its native habitat: most of Japan, South Korea and part of China.

Japanese tassel fern is a woodland species of evergreen fern with dark green, leathery, and very glossy leaflets with a profusion of bristles along margins. Stems and midribs are an attractive shade of golden brown. The fronds are 40-60 cm long and commonly upright if grown in good and moist soil. In poor and dry soils they are considerably shorter and arching.

Japanese tassel fern requires light to deep shade with plenty of moisture or air humidity, but well-drained soil. Never let it dry out completely. Most polystichum species prefer alkaline soil but they can also get used to slightly acidic soil if rich in nutrients. Although evergreen, we always recommend removing all foliage just above ground level after winter, letting the entire plant re-grow and form new and healthy leaves. Hardy to min. -30 ° C (USDA zone 5), but sometimes it emerges too early and new shoots may be damaged by late frosts. High mulching of the entire clump helps a lot.

Last update: 10-06-2024