Arborvitae Fern, though it produces spores is not a true fern but a prehistoric plant called a club moss. Its thick scaly leaves, that resemble Arborvitae or Cedar, form a matting groundcover quickly shading out weeds. grows in partial shade to shade, in well-drained, organically enriched soil. Though it likes shady moist spots, it does not withstand standing water. It is an easy plant to grow and looks great forming a skirt around taller plants in containers and hanging baskets. Needs good drainage when grown in containers. Small varieties are great in terrariums. After a harsh winter if fronds appear ragged cut it back, apply an all purpose slow-release fertilizer, and new growth will appear quickly. The clumps can be divided any time of year or cutting root easily in damp soil. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Can form a dense ground cover that could eliminate other vegetation.
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; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.