Hardy Ferns: How to Grow and Care for Ferns in South Carolina

Quick Guide to Growing Hardy Ferns in South Carolina

• Best Feature: Cold-hardy, shade-loving plants for year-round landscapes
• Light Needs: Shade to partial shade (some tolerate sun with moisture)
• Soil: Well-drained, organic-rich soil
• Water: About 1 inch per week during growing season
• Growth Rate: Slow; may take years to mature
• Best Use: Shade gardens, woodland landscapes, groundcovers

Why Grow Hardy Ferns in South Carolina Landscapes

Hardy ferns are tolerant of cold winter temperatures and can be grown outdoors year-round.

Many ferns are both cold and heat-tolerant — these make the best garden plants for the South.

There are ferns that will grow in every area of South Carolina.

How Big Do Hardy Ferns Grow (Height and Spread)

While most ferns average between one and three feet tall and wide, some, such as resurrection fern, grow only a few inches tall.

Others, like royal and ostrich ferns, can tower to six feet.

Most ferns are slow-growing and can take several years to reach their mature size.

How to Grow Hardy Ferns (Soil, Light, and Water Requirements)

Soil Preparation for Hardy Ferns

All ferns prefer well-drained soil high in organic matter.

For heavy clay soil:

• Mix a 2-inch layer of composted pine bark or other organic material into the top 10 inches before planting to improve drainage.
• Poultry grit (crushed granite) also works well to improve drainage and should be used in addition to organic material, not as a substitute.

For sandy soils:

• Mix in a 2-inch layer of organic material, tilled in because it helps them retain moisture.

It is wise to prepare a large area for ferns before planting, not just individual holes. This will help prevent water from filling the holes and rotting the roots.

Ferns may also be grown in raised beds, which provide good drainage.

Light and Moisture Requirements for Hardy Ferns

Most ferns require a moist, shady spot to grow — either in a wooded area or near the north side of a building.

Many need plenty of moisture during the growing season and should be given an inch or more of water per week if not supplied by rain.

Soil pH Needs for Hardy Ferns

While most of the ferns discussed here prefer acidic soils with a pH of 4 to 7, both southern and northern maidenhairs as well as ebony spleenwort prefer a more alkaline soil with a pH of 7 to 8.

Have a soil test done to check the pH, and mix ground limestone or crushed oyster shells at recommended rates into the planting area if your soil is acidic.

For more information, see HGIC 1652, Soil Testing and HGIC 1650, Changing the pH of Your Soil.

How to Fertilize Hardy Ferns Safely

Fertilizing should be done in spring, just after new growth has begun.

Ferns are very sensitive to over fertilizing, so it is best to use:

• A slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote 14-14-14.
• Complete organic fertilizers also work very well.

Always follow package instructions for fertilizer rates.

Mulching Hardy Ferns for Moisture Retention

A 2- to 3-inch layer of leaves or pine straw, applied in the spring and in the fall, is an excellent mulch for ferns.

Ferns grown in wooded areas benefit from the falling leaves and pine needles in the fall.

See the chart below for the cultural requirements of specific ferns.

How to Propagate Hardy Ferns (Division and Spores)

Ferns may be propagated by division or from spores (see THE FERN LIFE CYCLE, below).

For the home gardener, division is the most practical method.

When to Divide Hardy Ferns

How do you know when your ferns need dividing?

If you’ve noticed:

• The center of the clump is hollow or dead
• Leaves are smaller than usual

…it’s probably time to divide.

You may also divide if you want more plants.

Best Time to Divide Hardy Ferns

Generally, division is done every three to five years, and can be done:

• Right after the first frost in the fall (when the leaves have dropped). Do not fertilize fall transplants.
• Very early spring, just as the new growth is emerging

Methods for Dividing Hardy Ferns

There are three different methods for dividing ferns:

• Rhizome division involves ferns that grow from thick underground stems called rhizomes.
• Clump division is a method used for ferns with fibrous roots.
• Edge division involves cutting divisions from the outside edges of a clump.

For information on how to divide, see HGIC 1150, Dividing Perennials.

How Hardy Ferns Reproduce (The Fern Life Cycle)

Ferns reproduce in a unique way.

Instead of growing from seeds, ferns grow from spores.

Ever wonder what the little brown dots are on the back of a fern leaf? They’re spore cases, full of many spores.

When a spore germinates, it becomes a small leaf-like structure called a prothallium.

The prothallium produces both male and female sexual organs.

When the female organs become fertilized by the male organs, small fern plants begin to grow.

In some ferns, it can take as long as six months for the first fronds (leaves) to appear after sexual fertilization.

How to Use Hardy Ferns in Landscape Design

Ferns give a delicate and airy quality to a shady garden.

Many will grow in full shade, in areas where other plants will not grow.

Cinnamon, royal and southern shield ferns will grow in full sun if constant moisture is available.

For an elegant groundcover in a shady spot, try:

• Hay scented fern
• Ostrich fern
• Sensitive fern
• Broad beech fern
• Southern shield ferns

Fine-textured ferns contrast nicely with:

• The large leaves of hostas
• The shiny leaves of hellebores
• The colorful leaves of heucheras

Common Problems with Hardy Ferns (Pests and Diseases)

Ferns have few pest problems if care is taken to meet their growing requirements.

Common Pest Issues

• Maidenhair and ebony spleenwort ferns can sometimes get scale insects
  • Can be treated with horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps
• Slugs will occasionally eat the young fronds of variegated shield, deer, hayscented or southern shield ferns.
  • Diatomaceous earth works well on slugs.

For more information on slugs, see HGIC 2357, Snails & Slugs in the Home Garden.

• Foliar nematodes, which cause reddish-brown areas between the leaf veins, can attack some ferns.
  • Remove infected plants and destroy them
  • Do not put them into a compost pile

Check plants for pest problems before buying.

Hardy Fern Species for South Carolina Landscapes

Southern Maidenhair (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

This native fern grows 12 to 26 inches tall on thin wiry stems with delicate leaves. It grows in light to full shade with constant moisture, in the mountains and piedmont only. Propagate through rhizome division.

Northern or Common Maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum)

This fern is also native to South Carolina. It grows 12 to 24 inches tall on thin, wiry stems. Fronds and leaves form a distinctive horseshoe shape. It is deciduous and grows in part to full shade in the mountains and piedmont only. This species also prefers constant moisture, but can withstand some drought. Rhizome division.

Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron)

This fern has erect, dark evergreen fronds 6 to 20 inches tall. It is native throughout South Carolina. It prefers some sun to light shade, does not like wet soils. Propagate by rhizome division.

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

This vigorous fern has upright, deciduous leaves 24 to 48 inches tall. Grow in light shade to full shade throughout South Carolina except for the coast. Although it prefers constant moisture, lady fern can stand some drought. Propagate by rhizome division

Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’)

The deciduous fronds of this fern are a mix of silvery-gray, green and burgundy on dark purple stems. It grows 10 to 15 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade anywhere in South Carolina except for along the coast. Prefers constant moisture, but can withstand some drought. Rhizome division.

Hayscented Fern (Dennstaedtia punctilobula)

The crushed leaves of this deciduous fern smell like freshly cut hay. Fronds grow 18 to 30 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture, but can stand some drought. Hayscented fern is native to the mountains of South Carolina and can be grown in the mountains and piedmont.

Scaly Male Fern (Dryopteris affinis)

This tall, vase shaped, semi-evergreen fern will grow 3 to 4 feet tall. Grown in light to full shade, with constant moisture, anywhere in South Carolina except the coast. Clump division.

Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

This vase-shaped evergreen fern grows 3 to 5 feet tall. Grow in light to full shade, with constant moisture, anywhere in South Carolina except the coast. Clump division.

Southern Wood Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana)

This evergreen fern is native to the Coastal Plains of South Carolina, in swamps and along stream banks. It grows 3 to 4 feet tall. Grow in light to full shade anywhere in South Carolina. Provide supplemental water during dry periods. Clump division.

Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)

The leathery, evergreen fronds of this fern grow 24 to 36 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture, but will withstand some drought. Marginal wood fern is native to the mountains and piedmont of South Carolina and will grow throughout the state except for along the coast. Clump division.

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

While ostrich fern can grow 4 to 6 feet tall in the wild, it is generally shorter in gardens. This large deciduous fern is vase shaped and will reach greatest height with ample water and rich soil. Grow in light to full shade, with constant moisture, in the mountains and piedmont only. Propagate by edge division.

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)

This coarse-textured, deciduous fern grows 24 to 30 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Sensitive fern prefers constant moisture but can stand some drought. It is native throughout South Carolina. Edge division.

Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)

This upright, deciduous fern is native throughout South Carolina. It grows 24 to 36 inches tall. Plant in sun to full shade, with constant moisture if planted in sun. Cinnamon fern can stand some drought in shade. Edge division.

Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)

Native throughout South Carolina, this large, coarse textured, deciduous fern can grow 3 to 6 feet tall if given ample water. Plant in sun to full shade, with constant moisture. Edge division.

Broad Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera)

This upright growing, deciduous fern grows 12 to 24 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture but can stand some drought. It can be grown throughout South Carolina, except for the coast. Rhizome division.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)

Evergreen, upright, leathery fronds grow 24 to 36 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture but can stand some drought. This fern is native throughout South Carolina. Rhizome division.

Japanese Tassel Fern (Polystichum polyblepharum)

The dark, evergreen, lacy leaves of this fern grow upright 24 to 36 inches tall. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture but can stand some drought. Will grow throughout South Carolina, except for along the coast. Rhizome division.

Korean Rock Fern (Polystichum tsus-simense)

Leathery, dark, evergreen leaves grow 10 to 15 inches tall in a vase-shaped form. Grow in light to full shade. Prefers constant moisture but can stand some drought. Will grow throughout South Carolina. Rhizome division.

Southern Shield Fern (Thelypteris kunthii)

This deciduous fern has light green fronds that grow 24 to 36 inches tall. Plant in sun to full shade, with constant moisture in sun. It can stand some drought in shade. Native to the Coastal Plain, and can be grown throughout South Carolina. Rhizome division.

Document last updated on 3/26 by Millie Davenport.

Originally published 11/03