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Species library › Asplenium › Asplenium montanum
Ferns Well documented

Asplenium montanum

Mountain spleenwort

A small evergreen spleenwort of the Appalachians that grows in narrow crevices of acidic sandstone and other non-calcareous rock, where moisture seeps from the strata. It is often the only vascular plant in its niche. It needs very acid, lime-free conditions and a cold winter.

At home, aim for
Day IntermediateTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry
Light Dappled lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Small crevices in acidic sandstone and other non-calcareous cliffs, ledges and balds, where moisture seeps from the rock. Soil pH is about 3.5–5.0 and it does not tolerate calcium. It is part of the Appalachian Asplenium complex and hybrids such as Bradley's and Wherry's spleenwort can grow alongside it.

Found up to about 2000 m. Only 3 records carry elevations (358–762 m), but the most heavily weighted measured site is at about 1570 m in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Eastern United States

🔒 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.