Christmas Fern

Common Names

Christmas Fern, Christmas Dagger Fern, Dagger Fern, Evergreen Christmas Fern

Summary

Christmas fern is an evergreen fern native to eastern North America, forming fountain-like clumps from a creeping rhizome. It features dimorphic fronds, with evergreen sterile fronds and taller fertile fronds bearing spores; fronds are dark green and leathery, with fiddleheads emerging silvery in spring. Plants typically reach about 1–2 feet in height and 1–2 feet in width. For cultivation, it prefers organically rich, well-drained soils in part to full shade, tolerating dry to medium moisture; angle the rhizome when planting to reduce crown rot in poorly drained soils. Although rhizomatous, it does not spread aggressively; clumps gradually increase. It is deer resistant and generally pest- and disease-free, suitable for woodland and shaded borders, erosion-control plantings, groundcovers under trees, and mass plantings. Propagation is by spores or division in spring, and it is hardy in USDA zones 3–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade to Full Shade.

Soil Type

Organically rich, well-drained soil (loamy or sandy; preferably acidic)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5.5-7 (sub-acidic to neutral soil)

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Does not bloom; no flowering season.

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Medium

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Division, Spores

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts Ruffed Grouse