woodland fern

Christmas fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Native to much of the USA and southern Canada

Nova Scotia to extreme southeastern Minnesota, south to central Florida, eastern Texas, and Mexico. Zones 5 to 10

In the garden

A woodland fern for part to full shade and evenly moist soil. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.

Light

Full sun Partial shade Full shade

Moisture

Dry Moist Wet

Find your zone:

Habitat: WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
Native range: Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (33): AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (5): NB, NS, ON, PE, QC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
Native distribution: Nova Scotia to extreme southeastern Minnesota, south to central Florida, eastern Texas, and Mexico. Zones 5 to 10The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.

Light: Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
Moisture: MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
Hardiness zones: USDA 3–9 · Canadian 3–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
Soil: Moist, acid, humus-rich soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Acid-based. Best in rocky or sandy soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Soil texture: Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
Soil pH: Mildly acid to mildly alkalineThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
Water use: MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.

Spread: ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
Life cycle: PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Growth rate: ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.