wetland fern
Sensitive fern
Onoclea sensibilis
Native to much of the USA and southern Canada
Newfoundland to Saskatchewan, south to northern Florida and Texas; also collected in Douglas county, Colorado. Eastern North America, Zones 4 to 8.
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist to wet Moisture preference
- Zones 3–9 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Nov Flowering time
- Height up to 3 ft to 0.9 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland fern for part to full shade and consistently moist to wet soil. At up to 3 ft, it suits rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Butterflies Tawny-edged Skipper
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Much of the USA and southern CanadaUnited States (39): AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV. Canada (5): NB, NL, NS, ON, PE. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Newfoundland to Saskatchewan, south to northern Florida and Texas; also collected in Douglas county, Colorado. Eastern North America, Zones 4 to 8.The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Moist to wetThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9 · Canadian 2–7The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Various loose, acidic, moist to wet soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Limestone-basedThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- Medium to highHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- LowRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 3 ft (to 0.9 m)Typical mature height.
- 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
- RapidA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–NovWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.