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Japanese Climbing Fern

Lygodium japonicum

Last reviewed: August 2026

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子

Toxicity unknown

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum) 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 sun

Water

medium

Size

120"–360" H × 24"–96" W

Bloom

N/A

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

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Japanese climbing fern is an aggressive invasive vine that can climb 90 feet high and smother native trees and shrubs. This non-native species spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes and wind-dispersed spores, forming dense colonies that are extremely difficult to control once established.

In an HOA neighborhood

Japanese Climbing Fern takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

  • Can quickly overtake structures and neighboring properties
  • Extremely difficult and expensive to remove once established

Wildlife value

This invasive species provides little to no benefit for native wildlife and pollinators. It actively harms local ecosystems by displacing native plants that support beneficial insects and birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Japanese Climbing Fern need?
Japanese Climbing Fern grows best in part sun conditions.
Is Japanese Climbing Fern HOA-friendly?
Japanese Climbing Fern takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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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