UK pruning guide · RHS timing
When to prune licorice fern in the UK
Why the timing differs here
British pruning timing is set by the last frost rather than the calendar. The RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants because it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills — and UK last frosts run from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north.
How to prune licorice fern
Cut dead or old fronds back to the creeping rhizome with clean scissors. Do not remove or damage the surface rhizome. Allow the plant to shed naturally during summer dormancy rather than cutting it back prematurely.
Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) is naturally semi-deciduous, often going dormant in summer heat. Remove old or dead fronds in early autumn as the plant resumes active growth, or in late winter before new fronds push through. No shaping is needed — simply clear away spent material.
More licorice fern care for British gardens
Care at a glance
Pruning licorice fern in the UK — FAQ
When should I prune licorice fern in the UK?
Prune licorice fern in spring, once growth resumes. British pruning timing is set by the last frost rather than the calendar. The RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants because it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills — and UK last frosts run from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north.
Is it illegal to prune licorice fern in spring or summer in the UK?
There is no nesting-bird restriction that realistically applies to licorice fern, since birds do not nest in it. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 still protects any active nest you do find anywhere in the garden — the rule is about the nest, not the plant.
How do you prune licorice fern?
Cut dead or old fronds back to the creeping rhizome with clean scissors. Do not remove or damage the surface rhizome. Allow the plant to shed naturally during summer dormancy rather than cutting it back prematurely.
How often does licorice fern need pruning in a British garden?
Annually; dead fronds as needed. Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza) is naturally semi-deciduous, often going dormant in summer heat. Remove old or dead fronds in early autumn as the plant resumes active growth, or in late winter before new fronds push through. No shaping is needed — simply clear away spent material.
Why is UK pruning timing different from American advice?
Most pruning guides online are written for US conditions and anchored to USDA zones. Britain's maritime climate gives milder winters but later, less predictable last frosts — from March in the south-west to mid-May in the north — so the RHS advises against winter pruning for most plants: it pushes out soft growth that a late frost then kills. Britain also has the nesting-bird law, which has no US equivalent.