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Green Spleenwort

Asplenium viride

Last reviewed: October 2026

Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride)
Photo: (c) Jacek Pietruszewski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacek Pietruszewski

Toxicity unknown

Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

2"–12" H × 2"–8" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

CA, CO, ID, ME and 11 more states

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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northwestern Forested MountainsSouthern RockiesNorthwestern Great PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNortheastern Highlands

Green spleenwort is a delicate, small evergreen fern that forms neat clumps of bright green fronds. This compact native fern stays low to the ground and maintains its attractive appearance year-round in shaded areas.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Green Spleenwort is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.

Wildlife value

Ferns do not produce flowers or attract pollinators, but they provide shelter and habitat for small insects and spiders. The evergreen fronds offer winter cover for beneficial garden creatures.

Common questions

How much sun does Green Spleenwort need?
Green Spleenwort grows best in part shade conditions.
Where is Green Spleenwort native?
Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride) is native to CA, CO, ID, ME and 11 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Green Spleenwort HOA-friendly?
Green Spleenwort is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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