Also known as Lip Fern · 134 gardener saves
Cheilanthes: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cheilanthes, the genus most gardeners know as lip fern. We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Cheilanthes varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedHairy Lip Fern
Cheilanthes lanosa
#2 most savedEaton's lip fern
Cheilanthes eatonii
#3 most savedMighty Tidy Hairy Lip Fern
Cheilanthes lanosa 'Mighty Tidy'
Woolly Lip Fern
Cheilanthes tomentosa
Andean Lip Fern
Cheilanthes myriophylla
Lasiophylla Fern
Cheilanthes lasiophylla
Wright's lip fern
Cheilanthes wrightii
Silver Cloak Fern
Cheilanthes argentea
Four-pinnate Lip Fern
Cheilanthes quadripinnata
How to grow Cheilanthes
What the Cheilanthes varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cheilanthes year
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March100% of varieties
Remove any old or damaged fronds before new growth begins
- PlantMarch, April, September and October89% of varieties
Plant in spring or early fall, ensuring excellent drainage
- MulchMarch67% of varieties
Apply a thin layer of gravel or coarse mulch to aid drainage
- DivideMarch, April and September56% of varieties
Divide mature clumps every few years in spring or fall
Do
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune dead fronds to encourage new growth
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Expose to direct harsh sunlight ❌
- Avoid direct full sun exposure ❌
- Do not overwater, as roots can rot
What goes wrong with Cheilanthes
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted fronds | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue on fronds | Apply insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing fronds | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Fungal leaf spot | Brown spots on fronds | Remove affected fronds and apply fungicide |
| Fungal leaf spots | Dark spots on fronds | Remove affected fronds and improve air circulation |
Making more Cheilanthes
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring or fall.
- Replant divisions immediately into moist soil.
Spores
- Tuck spores into moist soil in spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks.
- Maintain high humidity around spores.
Cheilanthes questions
How many types of Cheilanthes are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Cheilanthes varieties. The most popular — ranked by 134 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cheilanthes grow in?
Across its varieties, Cheilanthes covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Cheilanthes bloom?
Most Cheilanthes varieties bloom in mid-summer, late summer, late fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cheilanthes should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Cheilanthes shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cheilanthes in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
