Asplenium aureum

Golden rustyback fern

A Macaronesian rustyback fern (the Ceterach group) of the Canary Islands, Madeira and Cape Verde. Its fronds are densely scaly underneath and curl up in drought, then revive after rain. It grows on rocks and walls in a mild, frost-free climate with a dry summer, so it wants bright light, sharp drainage and a cool, moist winter growing season.

At home, aim for

Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Grows in crevices of volcanic rock, cliffs, old walls and rocky slopes, mainly in the laurel-forest and thermophilous scrub belts. It is desiccation-tolerant like other rustybacks.

Recorded at 275–1300 m (median 800 m), in the cloud-influenced mid-elevation zone of the islands.

Canary IslandsMadeiraCape Verde

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, used under its CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, unmodified.