Asplenium scolopendrium (Crispum Group) 'Golden Queen'
ABOUT
The 'Golden Queen' is a variety of the plant commonly known as hart's tongue fern. This plant features distinctive fronds that have an attractive wavy or crinkled edge, which gives the impression of a ruffled texture. The fronds themselves are broad and strap-shaped, arching gracefully from the center of the plant. What sets the 'Golden Queen' apart is its coloration; the fronds have a golden-yellow hue, especially vibrant when they first emerge, adding a splash of color to shady garden spaces. The lush green of the mature fronds contrasts nicely with the golden tones, making this plant a highly decorative variety. The appearance of the 'Golden Queen' is enhanced by the way the light plays on the textured fronds, highlighting the deep green center with the golden-yellow margins. It is a popular choice for gardeners seeking to create visual interest in shaded or woodland gardens, where its unique color and texture can bring life to the understory.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Aspleniaceae
Synonyms
Hart's Tongue Fern, Golden Queen Fern
Common names
Phyllitis scolopendrium (Crispum Group) 'Golden Queen', Asplenium scolopendrium var. crispum 'Golden Queen'.
ToxicityTo humans
Hart's tongue fern is generally considered non-toxic to humans, and there are no well-documented cases of poisoning from this plant. It is not usually associated with adverse effects upon ingestion; however, as with any plant, individual allergies or sensitivities may exist, and it is not recommended to consume any plant material that is not specifically meant for human consumption.
To pets
Hart's tongue fern is typically considered non-toxic to pets as well. Dogs, cats, and other domestic animals can usually coexist with this plant without risk of poisoning. As with humans, individual animals may have allergies or sensitivities, and consumption of non-food plants should still be discouraged to prevent any potential digestive upset or unforeseen reactions.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: 'Golden Queen' adds a unique visual interest to gardens and indoor spaces with its golden-green, crinkly fronds.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Shade Tolerance: It thrives in shady areas where other sun-loving plants might struggle to grow.
- Drought Resistance: It can survive in relatively dry conditions once fully established, needing less water compared to other garden plants.
- Habitat Creation: It provides shelter and habitat for a variety of wildlife, including insects and small animals.
- Soil Erosion Control: The root system can help stabilize soil, reducing erosion in shady landscapes.
- Long-Lived: It's a perennial plant that can live for many years, offering long-lasting foliage and requiring less frequent replacement.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some garden plants, it does not have a tendency to spread uncontrollably, making it easier to manage in a garden setting.
- Versatile Landscaping: It is suitable for various landscaping designs, including woodland gardens, rockeries, and as border plants.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography subjects: Hobbyists and professional photographers alike can use 'Hart's Tongue Fern' as an exotic and textured subject for macro photography, utilizing its unique leaf patterns and colors.
- Educational tool: This fern can be a valuable resource in botany classes or nature programs for teaching about fern life cycles and non-flowering plant reproduction.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may draw inspiration from the 'Hart's Tongue Fern''s form and vibrant color for paintings, sculpture, and other creative works.
- Biophilic design: Architects and interior designers integrate 'Hart's Tongue Fern' into buildings and indoor environments to create a stronger connection with nature in their designs.
- Culinary display: Chefs occasionally use the fronds of 'Hart's Tongue Fern' to add a dramatic backdrop or garnish for plating their dishes, although the plant is not edible.
- Fashion prints: The distinctive leaf shape and textures of the fern can be used as patterns or motifs on fabrics and in fashion design.
- Visual barriers: When grown densely, 'Hart's Tongue Fern' can create a visual screen in gardens or terrariums, offering privacy or hiding unsightly areas.
- Religious symbolism: In some cultures, ferns including 'Hart's Tongue Fern' are associated with humility and sincerity and can be used in religious iconography or as part of ceremonial garb.
- Theatre and film props: 'Hart's Tongue Fern' can be used in set designs on stage or in movies to create realistic woodland scenes or to suggest a specific atmosphere or period.
- Texture in floral arrangements: The fronds of 'Hart's Tongue Fern' can be incorporated into floral arrangements to add contrasting texture and a touch of elegance to bouquets.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiHart's-tongue fern is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityHart's-tongue fern is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Asplenium scolopendrium, commonly known as Hart's Tongue Fern, often symbolizes resilience as it can thrive in challenging growth conditions, such as shaded and rocky areas.
- Longevity: The fern's perennial nature, where it returns year after year, represents long life and endurance.
- Health: Ferns have been used historically for medicinal purposes, leading to their association with health and well-being.
- Secret Knowledge: In various cultures, ferns carry the symbol of secret knowledge or hidden treasures, possibly because of their ancient lineage and the rich ecosystems they foster.
- Purity: The lush green color and the clean lines of hart's tongue fern are often associated with purity and simplicity.
- Shelter: Ferns create a microhabitat for many species, symbolizing shelter and the nurturing of growth.
WaterThe Hart's Tongue Fern should be watered whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Water the plant deeply with room-temperature water, ensuring that the water penetrates through the bottom drainage holes. Depending on the environment's humidity and temperature, typically this will mean watering approximately every 7 to 10 days. Adjust watering frequency to maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging the soil. It's better to provide about a half-gallon of water for an average-sized pot, though the exact amount will vary with pot size and plant size.
LightThe Hart's Tongue Fern thrives in bright, indirect light but is tolerant of lower light conditions. It is best placed in a spot where it receives dappled sunlight or diffuse natural light, such as near a north-facing window. Direct sunlight should be avoided to prevent leaf burn.
TemperatureThe Hart's Tongue Fern prefers a temperature range between 65°F and 75°F during the day, and it can tolerate a slight drop at night. It should not be exposed to temperatures below 55°F, which may damage the plant. The ideal temperature range ensures the fern's healthy growth and appearance.
PruningPruning Hart's Tongue Fern is generally done to remove any dead or damaged fronds to maintain plant health and appearance. Pruning is best performed in the spring when new growth begins. Cut the fronds back to the base of the plant, and removal should be done as often as necessary to keep the plant looking its best.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe best soil mix for Hart's Tongue Fern 'Golden Queen' is well-draining, rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of loam, peat, and perlite or pumice can provide the right environment for this epiphytic fern.
RepottingHart's Tongue Fern 'Golden Queen' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container to ensure continuous healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingHart's Tongue Fern 'Golden Queen' thrives in high humidity conditions, ideally between 60% to 70%, but can tolerate a range around 50% with some adaptation.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light and ensure high humidity for indoor growth.
Outdoor
Plant in shade to partial sun, with moist, well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleAsplenium scolopendrium 'Golden Queen', commonly known as Hart's Tongue Fern, begins its life cycle as a spore, which germinates in moist shady conditions to develop into a prothallus, the fern’s gametophyte stage. On the underside of the prothallus, sperm and eggs are produced, which upon fertilization give rise to the sporophyte phase, the recognizable fern plant. This sporophyte grows a rhizome from which fronds emerge unfurling from a coiled position known as a fiddlehead into broad, strap-shaped leaves with a characteristic golden hue. As the plant matures, sori containing spores develop on the underside of the fronds and are distributed by wind to start the cycle anew. The 'Golden Queen' is an evergreen fern and maintains its leaves throughout the year, although it will grow new fronds annually. Throughout its life, the fern continues to grow and expand in size, capable of living for many years under optimal conditions.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Hart's tongue fern, specifically the Asplenium scolopendrium (Crispum Group) 'Golden Queen', is commonly propagated through spores. The most popular method of propagation for this plant involves collecting spores from the undersides of mature fronds when they are ripe, generally in late summer. The collected spores need to be sown on the surface of a moist, free-draining potting mix, such as a blend of equal parts peat and perlite or fine-grade fir bark. It's important to maintain high humidity by covering the pot with clear plastic wrap or a lid, and to keep the pot in indirect light at a temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). Germination can be a slow process, and it may take several weeks to months for spores to develop into tiny prothalli, the gametophyte stage of the fern. Once these have developed and the sporophytes (the fern plants we recognize) appear, they can be carefully transplanted into individual pots to grow on.
