Hairy lip fern
Cheilanthes lanosa
Last reviewed: August 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–12" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 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 431 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA small, drought-tolerant fern with wiry, hairy stems and finely divided fronds that curl up when dry and re-expand after rain, typically growing in rock crevices.
Wildlife value
Provides cover for small invertebrates in rocky habitats, with minimal direct wildlife value beyond habitat structure.
Common questions
- How much sun does Hairy lip fern need?
- Hairy lip fern grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Hairy lip fern bloom?
- Hairy lip fern blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Hairy lip fern native?
- Hairy lip fern (Cheilanthes lanosa) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Hairy lip fern? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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