Description

One encounters this hardy fern in areas with regular moisture. It thrives in salt spray or fog drip along the immediate coast from Santa Barbara County north into Oregon. It seems to grow on stone and wood most commonly, rather than soil. It does grow well in soil, however. The leaves are short, dark green fronds with deep lobes arising from a creeping rhizome. Unlike other polpodys, leatherleaf fern is evergreen. Plant in complete shade with regular water away from the coast. It will tolerate some dryness once established.