Wallich's woodfern is a deciduous to semi-evergreen fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It has a curious distribution, occurring sporadically throughout tropical Asia, Africa and the Americas. The species epithet commemorates Danish physician and botanist Nathaniel Wallich (1786–1854), who helped establish the Calcutta Botanical Garden and cataloged the flora of tropical Asia. Plant in moist well-drained soils in partial shade to full shade. It is fairly drought-tolerant once established. Mulch to help retain moisture. Divide every few years when crowded. It can grow in clay or soils high in organic matter. Wallich’s woodfern grows up to 4 feet tall, with a vase-shaped crown. The pale green fronds contrast nicely with the dark brown scaly ribs. Propagation is through its spores, not by rhizomes. Use in a border, in a woodland or as a ground cover in the shade. It looks good against rocks, in naturalistic plantings near water. Consider using it in a shade garden or Asian garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Dryopteris .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Blade is pinnate-pinnatified and oblong-lance shaped, leathery, lustrous and dark green; segments are oblong and squarish at tip; stipe is one fourth or less of the frond length; densely clothed with reddish black scales.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Stem detail
Hair-like scaly brown stems unfurl to produce the leaves