This deciduous rhizomatous fern has creeping wiry stems that scramble or climb over structures or up trees and form a dense cover. It has dark green triangular shaped divided fronds and the fertile fronds produce spores from summer to autumn.

Hardiness zones 8 to 12

Lygodium japonicumis naturally found from India to China, Korea and Japan growing in moist swampy lowlands and low-mountain regions forming tickets. It has also naturalised in many parts of the world including North America growing in disturbed soils such as along roadsides and forms a dense mat smothering understory vegetation and under ideal conditions it has become a noxious weed climbing into trees up to 30 m (98 ft) tall.

It prefers a protected sunny to semi-shaded position and grows in well-drained, moderately fertile peaty soils that are tending acidic with a pH range of 5.6 to 7.5. It is slightly drought and frost tolerant.

The Japanese Climbing Fern is grown for its attractive foliage and climbing habit. It is planted in small gardens specimen and trained on wire fences as a screen. It is also cultivated under glass in colder regions requiring support.

It is suitable coastal and low mountain regions and establishes in 2-3 years and is moderately long-lived. This fern is also grown in large gardens for a jungle affect but care should be taken as it can spread rapidly and is difficult to control. ID 2102

Lygodium (ly-GO-dee-um) japonicum (juh-PON-ih-kum)

Note:
This fern differs from others as the main climbing part is the rhachis of the frond and branches appear alternately along it. Secondary branches bear the leaflets.

Schizaeaceae (she-zar-AY-see-ee)