Wild Royal Fern Herb Garden

While most people think of ferns as green plants and not herbs, the Royal Fern has been classified as such for centuries. We tend to use the word “herb” more often when referring to culinary plants like parsley or thyme. But regardless of what you choose to call it, the wild royal fern has a special place in any garden that is designed with an eye toward sustainability. The propagation and cultivation of this herb can be challenging because of its rarity, so adding it to your personal garden can do much good for the environment at large. The following article will help you understand why this herb is so rare, where you can find it, and how you can cultivate it yourself with some helpful tips from expert gardeners.

What Is The Royal Fern?

The Royal Fern is an herb that belongs to the Osmundaceae family and is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and parts of Middle East. It is also sometimes used as a companion plant in gardens because of its ability to naturally repel pests and plants that can be harmful to the garden. This herb is also referred to as the King’s Fern due to its historical significance as a symbol of kingship. It has been used in gardens as far back as the 16th century as a sign of royalty due to its unique appearance. This plant can grow to be quite tall, reaching heights of up to 3 feet, and is covered in long, green, broadly-shaped leaves that tend to be slightly wavy. The leaves are thick and can be evergreen in the right climate. It flowers in the autumn with small clusters of white or yellow flowers that appear at the tops of the plant.

Why Is This Herb So Rare?

The Royal Fern is so rare because it is extremely difficult for this plant to propagate. The seeds are very delicate and can break if handled too roughly, making them very difficult to plant and grow. The seeds are also very small and can be difficult to find, which makes harvesting and sowing the seeds difficult. While some people choose to collect the seeds from the leaves and manually plant them, others attempt to grow the Royal Fern from spores. Because spores are so delicate, harvesting them can be difficult as well. Additionally, if the spores are not properly cultivated, the resulting plants can vary greatly from the original species.

How To Grow Royal Fern At Home

If you think that wild royal fern is the perfect plant for your garden, you might be wondering how to grow royal fern at home. While it is, fortunately, possible to cultivate this herb yourself, it can be a difficult process. First, you must find seeds or spores that are specifically meant for royal fern. Once you have those, you must cultivate them and make sure they are growing in the right environment. The ideal place to cultivate royal fern is a place that is slightly moist and has good sunlight. You can place the pots in a sheltered spot that gets plenty of sun but is not overly hot. Once the seeds have sprouted, you should water them regularly but not too much. Once the plant has fully grown, you can cut off the leaves to allow the plant to reproduce spores so that it can continue to propagate itself.

What Does Royal Fern Look Like?

As mentioned above, the royal fern has long, green leaves that are broadly shaped. The leaves are often wavy, and can be anywhere from 2 to 3 feet long. The leaves are thick and can be evergreen in the right climate, though they tend to be darker in the winter months. The royal fern also produces clusters of small, white or yellow flowers in the fall which appear at the tops of the plant.

Benefits Of Growing Royal Fern At Home

As previously mentioned, royal fern is a good companion plant because it is naturally good at repelling pests and harmful plants. If you are growing vegetables or other plants that you want to protect from pests, adding royal ferns to your garden can be a useful way to keep them safe. Royal ferns can also help to naturally purify the air around them and are useful in preventing soil erosion and water pollution. Because royal fern is a perennial, it can be grown in pots and brought indoors during the winter months. This can help you to extend the royal fern’s life and allow you to have it in your garden all year long. Additionally, royal fern is relatively easy to cultivate and can be grown on a variety of soil types, making it incredibly versatile.

Final Words

The Royal Fern is a beautiful herb that is a great addition to any garden. It is naturally good at repelling harmful pests and can also help to naturally purify the air. While growing royal fern can be challenging, with the right seeds or spores and proper care, it can be done. If you are looking for a beautiful plant to add to your garden, consider growing royal fern.