woodland fern
Western sword fern
Polystichum munitum
Native to Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and southern Canada
California coast, north to Alaska and to northwestern Montana
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–10 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Flowering time
- Height up to 5 ft to 1.5 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland fern for part to full shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 5 ft, it needs room in shade gardens and woodland edges. It shrugs off drought once established. Hardy in USDA zones 4–10.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Beetles Alder Flea Beetle
- Flower flies Variable Duskyface Fly
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington and southern CanadaUnited States (6): AK, CA, ID, MT, OR, WA. Canada (1): BC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- California coast, north to Alaska and to northwestern MontanaThe 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
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–10 · Canadian 2–9The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Various moist soils but tolerates dry conditionsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 5.8–7.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- HighHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Drought tolerance
- HighRelative to plants of the same type and region, inferred from where it grows, not a days-without-water figure.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 5 ft (to 1.5 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~1 ft (0.3 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.
- Shape
- Semi-ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 14+ in (36+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- FernWhat kind of plant it is.
- Flower color
- Not ApplicableThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Container, sprigsHow to start new plants.
- Seed spread rate
- NoneHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Vegetative spread
- ModerateWhether it creeps outward or stays put in a clump.