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How to Grow Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern)

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Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern)

Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern) & Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)

fern

Christmas fern is a semi-evergreen native fern with leathery, dark green fronds that persist through winter, making it a woodland garden staple. Ostrich fern is a deciduous fern with graceful, feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes, producing fiddleheads in spring that are edible when young. Both are shade-loving perennials that thrive in moist woodland conditions.

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Example Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern)

    Around Apr 18

    ≈ 1 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Ferns (Christmas Fern & Ostrich Fern) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial to full shade; 2-4 hours of dappled sunlight ideal; avoid direct afternoon sun
💧
Water: Consistent moisture is essential; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water during dry spells, especially during establishment and summer. Ostrich fern prefers consistently wet conditions and tolerates boggy areas.
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Spacing: 12-18 inches apart depending on variety and mature size inches
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Days to maturity: Ferns do not mature from seed to harvest like vegetables; establish in 1-2 growing seasons
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Planting depth: Crown at or just above soil level; plant rhizomes horizontally 1-2 inches deep

Soil

Type: Rich, humus-dense woodland soil with excellent drainage; tolerates poor soils
pH: 5.0-7.0
Amendments:
Leaf mold or compost Peat moss or coconut coir Well-rotted organic matter Coarse sand for drainage if needed

Growing Zones

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Christmas Fern: Zones 3-9; Ostrich Fern: Zones 2-7

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Fiddlehead Emergence

2-4 weeks in spring

Young fern fronds are tightly coiled, resembling a violin scroll or ostrich plume (fiddlehead stage)

Keep soil consistently moist. Protect from strong winds. Do not harvest from young plants; allow first-year fronds to mature.

2

Frond Expansion

4-8 weeks

Fiddleheads unfurl into full-size fronds; fronds develop their characteristic shapes and feathery texture

Maintain consistent moisture. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around plants. Avoid disturbing expanding fronds.

3

Mature Fronds

4-6 months

Fully developed fronds display their complete form; Christmas fern fronds remain glossy and leathery, ostrich fern fronds become tall and feathery

Water during dry periods. Monitor for pests. Christmas fern retains fronds; ostrich fern fronds remain until frost.

4

Sporulation

Summer into fall

Spore clusters (sori) develop on the undersides of mature fronds, appearing as brown dots or lines. Only visible on mature fronds.

No special care needed. Spores disperse naturally for reproduction. Allow fronds to remain on plant.

5

Dormancy/Senescence

Fall through winter

Ostrich fern fronds wither and disappear after frost; Christmas fern fronds persist, becoming darker and more leathery, providing winter interest

Remove dead ostrich fern fronds in late fall/early spring. Leave Christmas fern fronds intact for winter structure. Reduce watering.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Hosta Hellebore (Christmas Rose) Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) Coral Bells (Heuchera) Solomon's Seal Astilbe Epimedium Foamflower (Tiarella) Wild Ginger Trillium

Avoid planting near:

Aggressive spreading plants like mint or bindweed Plants requiring full sun and dry conditions Shallow-rooted competitors like black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Common Pests

  • Inspect regularly and remove affected fronds; spray with neem oil or horticultural oil in early spring; ensure good air circulation

  • Spray with insecticidal soap; isolate affected plants; increase humidity to discourage; remove affected fronds

  • Increase humidity by misting; spray with neem oil; ensure adequate air circulation; avoid hot, dry conditions

  • and

    Remove by hand, especially in evening; use slug traps or diatomaceous earth; minimize mulch directly around crown

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; prune affected fronds; encourage beneficial insects

Uses

🍳

Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads

Culinary

Young ostrich fern fiddleheads are a delicacy in spring, tasting similar to asparagus with a slightly nutty flavor. They can be steamed, sautéed, blanched, or pickled. [source]

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Floral Arrangements & Greenery

Household

Both ferns provide long-lasting foliage for fresh flower arrangements and botanical designs. Fern fronds add texture and elegance to bouquets. [source]

🎨

Fern Frond Pressing

Craft

Delicate fern fronds press beautifully and are used in dried flower crafts, pressed botanical art, herbals, and scrapbooking. [source]

🦋

Wildlife Habitat

Wildlife

Ferns provide shelter and nesting habitat for ground-dwelling birds, insects, and small mammals in woodland gardens. They stabilize soil in shaded areas. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Use

Medicinal

Christmas fern has been used in traditional herbalism for respiratory support and as a general tonic. Modern scientific evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Ostrich Fern Fiddleheads: Harvest in spring when fiddleheads emerge and are 1-2 inches tall, before fronds unfurl. Grasp at base and twist gently; harvest no more than 1-2 fiddleheads per plant to allow frond development. Best harvested in early morning. Christmas Fern: Not typically harvested; grown for ornamental foliage. Fronds can be cut for fresh arrangements; re-cut every 2-3 days for longest vase life (7-10 days).

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Christmas fern earned its common name because its evergreen fronds remain vibrant and green throughout winter, making it a natural holiday decoration—some gardeners even harvest branches for festive arrangements.
  • 🌱 Ostrich fern fiddleheads are harvested commercially in spring and sold in specialty markets, particularly in New England and Quebec, commanding high prices for their culinary value; sustainable harvesting is encouraged to protect wild populations.
  • 🌱 Ferns reproduce via microscopic spores rather than seeds, and the spore-producing structures (sori) on fern fronds resemble tiny jeweled pods—a single frond can produce millions of spores that disperse on the wind.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Mulch Perennial
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