Bracken Fern For Sale
The Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a vigorous grower and one of earth's most widely distributed ferns. It is native to many parts of the world, found naturally across woodland environments, and considered cosmopolitan. While many fern species are shade-loving, this familiar fern grows well in sunny to shady conditions, making it a helpful choice across many garden types.
It is a deciduous fern. After the first frost, it will recede to its rhizomatous form for the winter months. In the spring, it comes back to life with charming fiddleheads that emerge from the rhizome across the forest floor. Reaching up to 3 ft in length, its fronds are triangular and quite coarse and robust in appearance.
Bracken Fern Plant Details
Family: Dennstaedtiaceae
Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3–10
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Shade. Grows well in a variety of light conditions
Water Needs: Low to moderate
Height: 2 - 5 ft
Spread: Up to 5 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Bloom Time: NA
Flower Color: NA
Wildlife Value: Provides cover for ground-dwelling wildlife.
It is an aggressive grower and will spread quickly in the right environment, producing a rhizome up to 20 ft long. They will spread out into pastures and marginal areas easily, making it an ideal plant to use across a transitional garden space.
The Bracken Fern is not only a quick and efficient grower, but it also produces allelopathic compounds that reduce other plants' ability to grow around it, further giving this fern a competitive edge when expanding its colonies. For this reason, it may be considered weedy when growing in optimum conditions.
Landscape Uses and Maintenance
This fern is low maintenance, easy to grow, and virtually pest and disease-free. They prefer consistently moist, well-drained, peaty to sandy acidic soils. It is a robust fern and will also tolerate impoverished soils.
Bracken Fern prefers full sun to part shade, making it a versatile plant for a naturalized woodland area. Once established, this fern will withstand periods of drought, but not for long. Since it is a prolific spreader, it is best planted in an area where it can roam. Avoid planting in the garden, as it can form aggressive rhizomes that are difficult to control and remove.
Characteristics of Pteridium Fern
Fast growing, easy to maintain, grows in sunny to shady environments. This fern will provide a speedy ground cover to accompany your garden or woodland landscape, providing habitat for wildlife and visual appeal alike. Shop for the Bracken Fern online at TN Nursery. For 68 years, we have served the landscaping industry and homeowners with specimen plants.
Customer Reviews
The Bracken Ferns from TN Nursery have enhanced my garden with lush, vibrant greenery. They are hardy, easy to grow, and look stunning as ground cover. Every plant was healthy and well-packaged.
TN Nursery is a reliable source for healthy Bracken Ferns. My order arrived fresh and well-rooted, and the plants are growing vigorously. They add wonderful greenery and texture to my shaded yard.
The Bracken Ferns I bought from TN Nursery bring a true woodland charm to my landscape. Their lush greenery thrives in shade, and they spread beautifully. TN Nursery provided top-quality plants that were ready to thrive.
My Bracken Ferns from TN Nursery are flourishing. Each plant had a strong root system and vibrant fronds, making transplanting simple. They’ve quickly adapted and are enhancing my shady garden.
The Bracken Ferns from TN Nursery are outstanding. They arrived quickly, well-protected, and full of life. Their spreading growth makes them ideal for natural landscaping. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase.
Do bracken ferns like sun or shade?
Bracken ferns grow well in both sun and partial shade. They adapt easily to different light levels but prefer filtered sunlight for the best growth. Their hardy nature makes them easy to establish in various garden settings.
Where does Bracken Fern grow best?
Bracken fern grows best in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with moderate moisture. It thrives in woodlands, meadows, and open fields with partial shade or filtered sunlight. Its hardness lets it adapt easily to many environments.
How do you plant and care for Bracken Fern?
To plant Bracken fern, place the roots in moist, well-drained soil and cover them lightly with soil. Water regularly until established, keeping the soil slightly damp but not soggy. Once growing, it needs little care and will thrive naturally in shaded or sunny spots.
Exposure
Bracken Fern thrives in partial to full shade, preferring indirect light. It can tolerate some direct sunlight but does best in more relaxed, shaded areas that remain moist and protected from harsh conditions.
Height at Maturity
Under 2 Feet
Usage
Shade Border Plants
Shipped As
Bare-root
Ships
USPS
Planting Zones
3-11
How To Grow
How to Grow and Care for Bare Root Fern Rhizomes
Bare root fern rhizomes are easy to plant and bring lush, woodland beauty to shaded or partially shaded areas. To begin, soak the rhizomes in water for 1–2 hours before planting to help rehydrate them. Choose a planting site with rich, well-draining soil high in organic matter. Ferns thrive in moisture-retentive soil, so amending with compost or leaf mold is ideal.
Dig a shallow hole wide enough to spread the rhizome out horizontally, and place it just below the soil surface with the growing tips (or “eyes”) facing upward. Cover lightly with soil, press gently, and water thoroughly. Keep the soil evenly moist—never dry or soggy—while the fern establishes.
Mulch with leaf litter or pine needles to conserve moisture and mimic the fern’s natural habitat. Avoid direct sunlight, as most native ferns prefer cool, shaded conditions. With patience and proper care, the rhizomes will send up new fronds and form a graceful, low-maintenance colony that returns year after year.
