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Bracken Fern

Sale price$15.99

Bracken Fern's lush, feathery fronds add elegance and texture to your garden, creating a vibrant contrast and a natural, woodland feel.

Low-maintenance, attractive ground cover

Adds lush greenery to shaded areas

Helps maintain soil moisture levels

Thrives in

ZONE 3ZONE 4ZONE 5ZONE 6ZONE 7ZONE 8ZONE 9ZONE 10ZONE 11
Package of: Buy 1 + Get 2 Free

This plant ships:

Ships 7-10 Days
1 Year Guarantee on all plants

Bracken Fern - Pteridium aquilinum

The Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a vigorous grower and is one of the most widely distributed ferns on earth. They are native to many parts of the world, found naturally across woodlands environments and are considered cosmopolitan in nature. While many fern species are shade loving, this familiar fern grows well in sunny to shady conditions, making it a useful choice across many garden types.

It is a deciduous fern. After the first frost, it will recede back to its rhizomatous form for the winter months. In the spring, it comes back to life with charming fiddleheads that immerge from the rhizome across the forest floor. Reaching up to 3 ft in length, its fronds are triangular in shape and quite course and robust in appearance.

Plant Details - Bracken Fern

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 extending 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 growers, it produces allelopathic compounds that reduce other plant’s ability to grow around them, 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 - Bracken Fern

This fern is low maintenance, easy to grow, and virtually pest and disease-free. They prefer consistently moist, well-drained, peaty to sand acidic soils. It is a robust fern and will also tolerate depauperate soils. It 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 however not for long. Since this fern 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.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Fast growing, easy to maintain, grows in sunny to shady environments.

This fern is 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.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Bare Root Plants
Height at Maturity icon

Height at Maturity

Under 2 Feet

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Care

Bracken Fern thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and benefits from frequent watering to moisten the soil. Evading overwatering, which can lead to root rot, is essential. Additionally, removing dead fronds promotes healthy growth and helps prevent pests.

Plant Reproduction icon

Plant Reproduction

Bracken Fern spreads via underground rhizomes and spore dispersal

Choose early spring or fall when the soil is moist and cool to plant healthy bare-root ferns. You can also use dormant plants to grow year-round. When you arrive, please soak the roots in water for several hours to rehydrate them. Ferns thrive in moist and shaded areas. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread out the roots comfortably. Position the fern so the crown (where the roots meet the fronds) is just at or slightly below ground level. Gently backfill with soil firmly around the roots, and thoroughly water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch for weed control and to retain moisture, ensuring the mulch does not touch the crown. Water during dry periods is used to keep soil moist but not soggy. Avoid fertilizing in the first year, as ferns prefer nutrient-rich soil over direct fertilization.

Shipping date depends on the date displayed and chosen when you order from the product's page.

We only accept returns on plants verified dead. If you think your plants have died, we offer a 1 year warranty, please use this File a Claim Link to verify dead plants and start with return warranty process.

Sprawling growth habit & fast grower
Natural pest repellent & soil erosion prevention
Decoration and floral arrangements
Bracken Fern - TN Nursery
Bracken FernBuy 1 + Get 2 Free Sale price$15.99

I’m delighted with the Bracken Fern from TN Nursery. It arrived in great condition and has quickly settled in, bringing a fresh, natural look to my garden. Highly recommend it!

Nicholas Eric, Verified Buyer

Zone 4

The Bracken Fern arrived in excellent shape and has been flourishing beautifully. Its lush greenery adds depth and elegance to my garden. Love it!

Sam Justin, Verified Buyer

Zone 5

The Bracken Fern has transformed my garden with its elegant, feathery foliage. It’s a great addition and has added a touch of greenery that really stands out.

Frank Raymond, Verified Buyer

Zone 6

What We Ship

The Benefits of Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are shipped without soil or pots, making them lightweight and easy to handle. They arrive dormant, ready to be planted and thrive as beautiful, healthy additions to your garden.

Cost-Effective

With no heavy pots or soil, you'll save 50-60% on shipping costs, and you can easily plant our plants yourself—no equipment needed, just a spade for digging small holes.

Hassle-Free

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Better Growth

Bareroot dormant plants are more hardy because they adapt better to new environments, with stronger root systems that establish quickly, leading to greater resilience and improved survival rates in various conditions.

Eco-Friendly

Bare root native plants are environmentally friendly because they promote biodiversity, require less water and maintenance, and support local ecosystems, making them a sustainable choice for eco-conscious gardening

Features
Why You Will Love Our Bracken Fern

Sophisticated Texture

Bracken Fern’s graceful, feathery fronds introduce a touch of refinement and intricate texture to your garden. It creates a visually captivating and serene atmosphere.

Effortless Care

This fern is a breeze to maintain once it's established, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a low-maintenance garden. Enjoy its beauty without the hassle of frequent upkeep.

Robust and Hardy

Known for its durability, Bracken Fern withstands various weather conditions and garden challenges. It’s a hardy plant that continues to thrive and enhance your garden despite the elements.

Space-Efficient

With its compact, spreading growth, Bracken Fern fits perfectly in small gardens and tight spaces. It's ideal for urban settings or areas with limited planting room.

Caring Tips

How do I care for my Bracken Fern?

Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.

Care Tips

Bracken Fern thrives in well-drained, acidic soil and benefits from frequent watering to moisten the soil. Evading overwatering, which can lead to root rot, is essential. Additionally, removing dead fronds promotes healthy growth and helps prevent pests.

Light Requirements

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.

Hardy Planting Zones

3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11

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Customer Reviews

Based on 20 reviews
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P
Patricia Krill
Bracken Fern

The Bracken fern arrived in good condition, bare root as was intended. I ordered the plant for my daughter. Will plant in spring.

R
Rick Llewelyn
Fern order

My rootings arrived faster than I had expected. Good looking roots. In the ground now and hoping they get to set roots before our winter in a couple months. thanks

K
Kymberly Petty-Emrich
Great service

Ferns came packed well and the customer service was so professional, which is a nice change these days.

C
Carl Mcdaniel

I can’t really give any review due to it just arrived in the mail yesterday and the plant is dormant at the moment. I will review this when the plant wakes up.

L
LC
Well packed and worth trying

The roots were in good shape and well packed, no issues with shipping and communication. I have planted them and will wait to see what happens. I appreciate the bogo offer which helped me buy several.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I water my plants?

How do I know if my plant is getting too much or too little sunlight?

What should I do to prepare my plants for winter?

What are the signs that my plant needs fertilizing?

How can I prevent pests from damaging my plants?

How do I choose the right plant for my climate zone?

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TN Nursery
TN Nursery