Cheilanthes sieberi: Mulga Fern

Cheilanthes sieberi, the Mulga Fern, is a small, tufted, xerophytic fern native to Australia. It forms a compact clump of tripinnate fronds with small, narrow, linear ultimate segments. The foliage is a gray-green to blue-green, often with a sparse white farina on the undersides. The stipe and rachis are dark, wiry, and scaly. It grows in dry, rocky habitats under mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands.

Plant Profile

Mulga Fern is a true desert fern. It requires full sun, extremely sharp drainage, and gritty, lean soil. Water very sparingly. It is adapted to extreme heat and drought. In cultivation, it is a specialist plant for alpine houses, crevice gardens, and troughs in arid climates. The fine, linear segments give it a unique, soft texture. A tough Australian native for the xeric collection.