🌿 Fern: Growing Guide
Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) grows best in shade with regular watering, and does well at −25 to 25 °C (−13 to 77 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.0–7.0. Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Dryopteris filix-mas |
|---|---|
| Category | Shade-loving Plants |
| Sunlight | Shade |
| Watering | Regular |
| Plant spacing | 60 cm (24 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −25 to 25 °C (−13 to 77 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 2 cm (0.8 in) |
| Height | 30–120 cm (12–47 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Plant out | |||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | ||||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | ||||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Plant out | Plant out | ||||||||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Plant out |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Aug, Dec–Feb.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Feb–Jan.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: Apr–May.
Watering
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 5 days in winter. Loves constant moisture.
Growing tips
Ideal for shade. Male fern. Dozens of species. Seedless — reproduces by spores.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Fern: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr, Sep. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr.
Fern: how often should I water it?
Water about every 2 days in summer and about every 5 days in winter. Loves constant moisture.
Fern: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 60 cm (24 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 2 cm (0.8 in).
Fern: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Fern: which plants grow well with it?
Ivy, Aid, Birch.
Plan your garden
Add Fern to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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