Giant Leather Fern (Acrostichum danaeifolium) is a dramatic, perennial fern that adds bold texture and greenery to wet landscapes. Growing to an impressive height of 6 to 12 feet with a spread of 5 to 10 feet, this striking plant thrives in moist, aquatic soils, such as clay, loam, sand, or organic muck. Requiring part shade, it flourishes in areas with consistent moisture but is not drought tolerant, making it ideal for swampy or water-adjacent settings.
Too tall for traditional groundcover, Giant Leather Fern shines as a hedge or in mass background plantings, where its towering fronds create a lush and layered effect. Its unique stature and adaptability to wet soil types make it a valuable addition to native plant gardens, wetlands, and areas designed to support Florida's natural flora.
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