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Christmas Ferns For Sale – Polystichum Acrostichoides
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a hardy, evergreen native of eastern North America. Gardeners love this fern because it stays vibrantly green through winter, earning its festive name. Its lush fronds add reliable texture and color to shaded gardens, woodland landscapes, and naturalized plantings.
Unlike many ferns that fade with frost, the Christmas Fern remains fresh and upright, even against snowy backdrops. Its leathery, deep green fronds grow 1–2 feet tall, forming neat clumps that fit beautifully alongside other shade perennials without becoming invasive.
Fern Care Guide and Genus Family
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USDA Zones:
3–9 -
Light Needs:
Partial to full shade -
Watering:
Moderate; prefers consistently moist but well-drained soil -
Mature Size:
1–2 feet tall, up to 2 feet wide -
Growth Rate:
Moderate, clumping habit -
Wildlife Benefits:
Year-round cover for birds and small animals
Why Gardeners Choose Christmas Ferns
Evergreen Beauty in Winter
The Christmas Fern keeps its foliage when most other plants have gone dormant. In zones 6–9, it remains fully green all year, while colder zones may see some dieback that quickly regenerates in spring.
Unique Spring Growth
New fronds, called fiddleheads or croziers, emerge silvery and covered with fine hairs. As they unfurl, they bring fresh texture and color, signaling the start of the growing season.
Low Maintenance and Versatile
This fern is nearly pest-free, tolerant of a variety of soils, and thrives in shaded areas such as north-facing beds, forest edges, or shaded slopes. Its fibrous roots help control soil erosion, making it an excellent choice for stabilizing banks or preventing runoff.
A Naturalistic Landscape Plant
Christmas Ferns create soft, natural textures in shady borders and woodland gardens. Their dense foliage shelters pollinators, insects, and small wildlife while adding a refined touch to shaded beds or pathways.
FAQs About Christmas Ferns
Do Christmas Ferns stay green year-round?
Yes. In warmer zones, they remain evergreen throughout winter. Some fronds may brown in colder climates, but new growth quickly replaces them in spring.
Where is the best place to plant them?
They thrive in partial to full shade, especially in woodland or along slopes with rich, moist soil.
Do Christmas Ferns spread?
They form tidy clumps and slowly expand without becoming invasive, making them a perfect companion to other perennials.
Are Christmas Ferns edible?
No, they are not edible, but non-toxic to pets and people.
Add Year-Round Green to Your Garden
If you’re looking for Christmas Ferns for sale, TN Nursery offers freshly dug, high-quality plants shipped fast to your door. For over 65 years, we’ve provided homeowners and landscapers with native plants that thrive in American gardens. The Christmas Fern is a timeless choice for dependable greenery, erosion control, and natural beauty that lasts through every season.
This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery
Height at Maturity
Over 2 Feet
Care
Christmas Ferns are low-maintenance and thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Keep the dirt always moist but not waterlogged. They benefit from occasional applications of compost and should be kept free of debris to prevent disease. Prune dead fronds as necessary.
Plant Reproduction
Christmas Fern spreads via rhizomes and spores, forming dense clumps
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.
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Versatility in landscaping & an evergreen
Air purification & erosion control
Stress reduction & wildlife habitat
Caring Tips
How do I care for my Christmas Fern?
Each box contains detailed care instructions and information about your product. But here's the basics.
Care Tips
Christmas Ferns are low-maintenance and thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Keep the dirt always moist but not waterlogged. They benefit from occasional applications of compost and should be kept free of debris to prevent disease. Prune dead fronds as necessary.
Light Requirements
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) thrives in low to moderate light exposure. It prefers shaded to partially shaded areas like woodland gardens or under-tree canopies. Direct sunlight should be evaded, as it can burn its delicate fronds.
Hardy Planting Zones
3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9