Learn how to grow sword fern, a North American native with a big garden presence.
Sword fern(Polystichum munitum)adds instant lushness toshade gardens.
It is perfect for a shaded backyard, north-facing courtyard, or shady patio.
Credit: Laurie Black
Sword fern fronds stand through winter with a few fading or dying back.
This large, sculptural perennial is an evergreen with a big garden presence inUSDA Zones59.
Where to Plant Sword Fern
Sword fern grows best in shade.
Credit:Carson Downing
Grow this large perennial under the dense shade of conifers or deciduous trees.
It is well-suited for growing in the low light of the north or east side of a building.
Sword fern thrives in moist, well-drained soil that isrich in organic matter.
Credit:Blaine Moats
It will tolerateslow-draining clayfor short periods but will not survive in boggy sites.
It is native to North America and thrives in moist, shaded landscapes.
Sword fern is particularly at home in the humid coniferous regions of the Pacific Northwest.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sword fern can also be grown as a container plant.
Grow the potted plant on a shaded porch or patio in the summer.
Move it indoors to a warm, humid spot in winter.
How and When to Plant Sword Fern
Plant sword fern in spring or early summer.
Choose the planting location carefully, ensuring this large perennial has plenty of space to expand.
Its massive fronds can grow 4 to 6 feet long.
Dig a planting hole slightly wider than the plants root ball and just as deep.
Plant sword fern so that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding grade.
Backfill with native soil, and water the newly planted fern.
Continue watering as needed to give the plant about an inch of moisture a week.
Sword Fern Care Tips
Light
Sword fern grows best in shade.
It thrives with onlytwo to four hours of bright lighta day.
It can tolerate up to six hours of bright light.
Soil and Water
Grow sword fern inwell-drained soilthat is rich in organic matter.
In the wild, it grows in the humus-rich floor of a coniferous forest.
Avoid wet or boggy soils and soil with a high clay content.
Slow-draining soil is not a good fit for sword fern.
Regular moisture is critical for lush growth.
Sword fern grows best with about an inch of weekly rainfall or supplemental water.
Temperature and Humidity
Sword fern grows well in a wide range of temperatures.
High humidity is ideal for sword fern, which thrives in moist, humid environments.
It can grow in arid regions, but its form is more compact there.
Mimic that thick humus layer by topdressing sword ferns root zone with a 1-inch layer ofcomposteach spring.
Pruning
Cut back old, faded fronds when new growth begins in spring.
Use a well-draining container filled with garden soil rich in organic matter or with good-quality potting soil.
When growing sword fern indoors, position it in a brightly lit room near a north- or east-facing window.
Water a sword fern growing as a houseplant as needed to maintain moist, but not wet, soil.
Pests and Problems
Sword fern is generally pest-free and easy to grow.
Wet, boggy soil is its biggest enemy.
Avoid slow growth and plant death by growing it in loose, well-drained soil.
How to Propagate Sword Fern
The easiest way to propagate sword fern is bydividing established plants.
Dig up the entire clump and cut the crown into three or four pieces using a sharp spade.
Each section needs ample roots and foliage.
Plant the divisions immediately in places where they have space to expand.
Some plants grow just 1 foot wide while others expand to as much as 3 feet wide.
Plant three or more coral bells together for a drift of color and texture.
Hosta
Blaine Moats
Hostasare some of the easiest shade plants to grow.
Variegated leaves in white, green, and yellow add more options.
Lungwort grows well in shade and part shade and is well-suited to a variety of soils.
Benediction has bright purple flowers, and Opal (shown here) has clear white flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sword fern is deer-resistant.
Deer generally dont eat the thick, glossy fronds, but hungry deer are unpredictable.
Elk, mountain goats, and black bears are known to eat the fronds and use them for bedding.
Leave it standing in the garden.
Its numerous fronds will overwinter well.
Individual fronds last for several years.
Remove them as they fade and die for a lush look.
