The feathery foliage on this perennial will make an impressive statement in your garden.
A staple plant of woodland gardens, theostrich fernhas large upright fronds resembling their namesake bird’s feathers.
Add them to fresh flower bouquets for a unique addition.
Credit: Scott Little
The sterile fronds have large, bright green leaves.
Come fall, these leaves turn a bright golden color.
Eventually, they formclusters of spores on the backside of the fronds.
Credit: Scott Little
Even through the winter months, the fertile fronds are held perfectly upright.
Come spring, the fronds release their spores and eventually die back.
Where to Plant Ostrich Fern
Ostrich ferns need shady conditions for best growth.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
In general, ostrich ferns prefer cooler climates and struggle in warm southern climates.
Ostrich ferns thrive in shady wooded sites and locations near water.
The root crown should sit just above soil level.
Credit: Dency Kane
Plant in spring or fall.
It can take several years for ostrich fern to become established.
Once mature, though, the plant can naturalize in your landscape.
Ostrich Fern Care Tips
In their ideal growing conditions, ostrich ferns can be aggressive spreaders.
Too much sun may burn leaves and turn them yellow.
Soil and Water
Ostrich fernsprefer moist soil.
It’s best to plant them in rich, organic ground that’s somewhat acidic.
Keep them evenly damp to almost wet for lush growth.
Avoid letting this fern dry out, which leads to browning and drying of the foliage.
Dry soil also results in slower, smaller growth.
The more sun they’re in, the more moisture they require.
Ostrich fern is a winter-hardy native that can handle the frigid winters down to zone 3.
Humidity is not an issue for this tough plant.
Pruning
When winter is almost over, trim dead and misshapen fronds from ostrich ferns.
During growing season, shape ostrich ferns by periodically pruning them.
They thrive in nutrient-rich clay soil with an acidic pH.
Keep them out of direct light and water regularly.
Flourishing ostrich ferns in containers make impressive houseplants.
Pests and Problems
There aren’t many problems with native ostrich ferns.
Ostrich fern isdeer resistant.
The best time to divide ostrich ferns is in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge.
Dig up an entire clump with roots intact.
Divide clump into sections with roots and fronts attached.
Replant sections at the same depth as the original clump in a chosen location.
Ostrich Fern Companion Plants
Rush
The corkscrew rush loves wet or boggy conditions.
It adds an architectural accent in planters, beds, and moist borders.
It’s technically leafless, with green cylindrical stems pointed at the tip.
Plant rush alongside streams and ponds, though they tolerate drier conditions elsewhere.
It’s excellent in container gardens.
The falls may be “bearded” or not.
Various cultivars bloom a second time in late summer.
Zones 3-9
Anemone
Anemonesare lovely, delicate flowersatop slender stems, giving them their common namewindflower.
Plants grow best in partial shade but tolerate full sun in northern regions.
You’re not sacrificing anything as new growth springs up from the ground each year.
Ostrich fern is native to eastern North America.
