California polypody
Polypodium californicum
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
part shade
Water
low
Size
6"–16" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jan, Feb, Mar
Native to
CA
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaThis polypody fern has finger-like divided fronds that emerge with fall and winter rain and die back to dormant rhizomes by summer, an unusual reversed growing season for a fern. It grows on shaded rock outcrops and in open woodland.
Wildlife value
As a non-flowering fern it provides no nectar, but its winter-green fronds offer cover for small wildlife during the cooler, wetter months.
Common questions
- How much sun does California polypody need?
- California polypody grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does California polypody bloom?
- California polypody blooms in January, February, and March.
- Where is California polypody native?
- California polypody (Polypodium californicum) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
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