Troubleshooting
American Climbing Fern problems — and how to fix them
American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Failure to climb or establish
Plants that fail to grow vigorously are almost always suffering from dry or alkaline soil — the species is intolerant of both conditions; ensure the growing medium is consistently moist, acid, and humus-rich, and provide physical support (twiggy sticks or wire) for the fronds to twine around during establishment.
Slug and snail damage
Emerging croziers are particularly susceptible to slug and snail damage in spring, which can destroy the season's new growth before it has a chance to climb — apply iron phosphate slug pellets or use a physical copper barrier around the emerging shoots.
Prevent american climbing fern problems before they start
Most american climbing fern issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
American Climbing Fern problems — FAQ
Why is my american climbing fern failure to climb or establish?
Plants that fail to grow vigorously are almost always suffering from dry or alkaline soil — the species is intolerant of both conditions; ensure the growing medium is consistently moist, acid, and humus-rich, and provide physical support (twiggy sticks or wire) for the fronds to twine around during establishment.
Why is my american climbing fern slug and snail damage?
Emerging croziers are particularly susceptible to slug and snail damage in spring, which can destroy the season's new growth before it has a chance to climb — apply iron phosphate slug pellets or use a physical copper barrier around the emerging shoots.