Christmas Fern

Christmas Ferns offer year-round green fronds

Christmas Ferns, scientifically known as Polystichum acrostichoides, is a timeless woodland plant that brings year-round structure and deep green color to shaded gardens and natural landscapes. Unlike many fern varieties that die back with the seasons, this hardy native retains its lush foliage through winter, adding visual interest when most plants are dormant.

Gardeners appreciate this fern for its ability to stay attractive even in colder months. In most regions, it remains resilient and dependable, forming graceful clumps that drape naturally across the forest floor or beneath trees without becoming unruly.

Shop Christmas Ferns Grower Direct, Save 80%

Buying grower-direct allows homeowners to receive mature, bare-root plants that establish quickly and thrive for decades. These woodland favorites are easy to plant, low maintenance, and well-suited for shaded gardens, naturalized areas, and moisture-loving landscapes. Their adaptability makes them a reliable choice for long-term garden success.

The plant's evergreen habit is what inspired its seasonal name, as the foliage often looks fresh and vibrant during winter months. With arching fronds that grow in neat clumps, it delivers a classic woodland aesthetic that blends beautifully into borders, understory plantings, and shaded slopes.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free on Christmas Ferns

The Christmas Fern is prized for both its appearance and ease of care. It performs well in planting zones 3-9 and adapts to a range of soil types, exceptionally moist, well-drained locations with partial to full shade.

Because it is naturally pest-resistant and low maintenance, it's ideal for gardeners seeking dependable beauty without constant upkeep. Its fibrous root system also helps stabilize soil, making it an excellent option for erosion control on shaded banks and woodland edges. It works equally well as a ground cover, accent plant, or companion to shade-loving perennials and wildflowers.

Planting and Care

This fern establishes best when planted in cool, organic-rich soil with consistent moisture. Once established, it requires very little attention, needing only occasional watering during extended dry periods. It remains well-behaved and forms tidy clumps rather than spreading aggressively, making it suitable for both small gardens and expansive natural plantings.

Whether used beneath trees, along shaded borders, or as winter interest in woodland gardens, this evergreen native remains a dependable and long-lived performer year after year.

Order Christmas Ferns Online at TN Nursery

At TN Nursery, we grow and ship healthy native fern plants ready for planting upon arrival. These evergreen woodland staples offer durability, adaptability, and lasting beauty in shaded landscapes. Order today and enjoy a classic native fern that provides structure, color, and reliability in every season.

What makes this fern evergreen?

Its thick, leathery fronds are naturally cold-tolerant, allowing the foliage to remain green even through winter dormancy.

Where does it grow best?

It thrives in partial to full shade, especially in woodland settings, shaded borders, and understory plantings.

What type of soil is ideal?

Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter is best. Leaf mold or compost helps replicate the conditions of a forest floor.

How often should it be watered?

Keep soil evenly moist during establishment. Mature plants tolerate brief dry spells but prefer consistent moisture.

Does it spread aggressively?

No. It forms neat clumps that gradually enlarge without becoming invasive.

Can it handle cold winters?

Yes. It is naturally cold-hardy and often remains green even during freezing temperatures.

Is it useful for erosion control?

Yes. Its dense root system helps stabilize soil on slopes and shaded banks.

Does it attract wildlife?

It provides shelter and cover for small woodland creatures, though it is not a primary food source.

Is it deer-resistant?

Yes. Its coarse texture makes it less appealing to browsing deer.

How large does it grow?

Mature clumps of the Christmas Fern typically reach 1-2 feet tall and wide, forming a graceful, arching presence in shaded landscapes. It's extremely popular among homeowners for natural areas that offer shade and moisture.

Below is exactly what you will receive, plant it, and in 3-4 weeks after Spring arrives, you will have a fully mature fern.