#ProPlantTips: Growing & Caring for Ferns

Charlotte Weidner | February 14, 2026

With soft and lush fronds, these living studies in symmetry and fractalization, the gorgeous Fern conjures images of fairy glens and magical forests! These diverse shade and moisture plants have a cooling and relaxing effect on any landscape setting!

Learn about growing and caring for these primordial perennial plants to keep them healthy and happy in your garden!

Where to Best Grow Ferns
The Basics of Fern Care
Sun Needs
Soil and Moisture
Fern Pruning/Maintenance

Fantastic Ferns!

There’s so much about Ferns that’s amazing! From the mighty Tree Ferns in Australia that resemble their prehistoric brethren to the little Maidenhair Fern - these easy-to-grow plants set the mood in the garden!

Where to Best Grow Ferns

Ferns are generally known in horticulture as landscape plants. They are also used as houseplants and cut foliage and filler for bouquets as well as the garden! Nature Hills has many varieties of Ferns for you to enjoy in your shady gardens and in your home!

Single specimens or focal points - Try a King Ostrich or Ostrich Fern
Lush frilly backdrops and drifts - Try a Western Sword Fern or Lady Ferns
En masse to fill the gloomy shade & let naturalize - Try Ghost or Royal Ferns
Container thrillers and fillers - Like Cinnamon Ferns or Dwarf Southern Fern
High-interest color in pots or in the ground - Burgundy Lace or Painted Ferns
Hot climate Ferns include Foxtail Fern or Kimberly Queen Australian Sword Ferns
Arctic cold-tolerant Ferns like Hayscented Ferns and Marginal Wood Fern
Add to a Rain garden or water runoff area - Royal Ferns and Lady Ferns do best!
Dry shade Ferns include Male Ferns and Autumn Ferns
Great houseplants! Boston Fern, Maidenhair and Dragon Ferns!
Small, space-saving garden accents - Japanese Holly Fern and Tassel Ferns
The Brilliance Autumn Fern is a must for fall color

The Basics of Fern Care

Highly adaptable, Ferns can tolerate a wide range of conditions as long as they have adequate care while they’re getting established!

Best in areas with lots of rainfall like the Northwestern US, and the humid Southeast, Ferns are native to a large portion of the country! Rambling throughout the shaded woodlands and forest gullies, even a few areas of grassland!

Sun Needs

Loving full shade and afternoon shade, a few Ferns can handle full sun, especially when planted in cooler USDA growing zones. These delicate and airy foliage plants light up the dingy gloom with their verdant color!

Indoor houseplants and container-planted Ferns do best in bright yet indirect sunlight.

Soil and Moisture

Ferns thrive best in moist, deep, highly organic, enriched environments, but a few Ferns tolerate dry shade - once established. For dry shade areas, add compost and 3-4 inches of arborist mulch to the soil surface to help hold in moisture more regularly!

Avoid soggy, poor drainage areas, but let them ramble around the edges of Rain Gardens and water features so long as it is well-drained.

Fern Pruning/Maintenance

Usually planted and left to their own devices, a once-a-year cleaning of their mounds before they come out of dormancy in the spring is about all the maintenance they need to look spiffy!

In colder growing zones, when these perennials die back to the ground, as soon as the fronds die, prune them back near the crown. Top dress with a layer of compost or loose, clean leaves, and/or mulch.

Another difference between growing Ferns and growing other perennials is that Ferns will often not survive harsh frosts in the winter. Most perennials are used to the cold winter months and build strong root structures in order to survive.

Some Ferns are generally used to living in warmer climates and temperate frost-free winters, making them unable to survive the cold. Some more tropical Ferns make great houseplants and therefore, can be brought in from the garden and planted in pots and hanging baskets indoors.

After a Fern is established, they are relatively easy to grow and do not require much attention!

Prune dead or damaged fronds when they appear. Ferns are perennial and in colder climates, they may die back to ground level in the winter and regrow each spring. Clean up these fronds and remove dead debris from the area to prevent slugs and snails from overwintering.

Fantastic Ferns!

Growing Ferns is an enjoyable experience! Many gardeners attempt growing Ferns without first understanding the very specific conditions needed for the Fern to thrive! Luckily, even for the most novice gardeners, Fern plants are forgiving and easy to grow!

Check out all the incredible Ferns for your landscape today at Nature Hills! We’re sure to find one that will work for your unique landscaping needs!

Happy Planting!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do ferns grow better in shade or full sun?

Ferns generally thrive in full shade or afternoon shade, making them ideal for those darker corners of the garden that other plants struggle in. A few varieties can tolerate full sun, particularly when planted in cooler USDA growing zones where temperatures stay moderate. For best results, site your ferns in a spot with filtered or dappled light and protect them from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch their delicate fronds.

Can ferns survive in direct sunlight?

Most ferns prefer full shade or afternoon shade and are not well-suited to direct sunlight. However, a few varieties can tolerate full sun conditions, particularly when planted in cooler USDA growing zones where intense heat is less of a factor. If you want to grow ferns in a sunnier spot, choose a sun-tolerant variety and make sure the soil stays consistently moist to prevent the fronds from scorching.

How much shade do ferns need to thrive?

Ferns generally thrive in full shade to partial shade conditions, with most varieties preferring protection from direct afternoon sun. A select few varieties can tolerate full sun exposure, particularly when grown in cooler USDA zones where intense heat is less of a concern. For best results, site your ferns in a location with dappled light or morning sun only, and pair them with consistent moisture to keep them healthy and lush.

Are most ferns perennials that return each season?

Yes, most ferns are perennial plants that return reliably each season, making them a long-term investment in your shade garden. Many cold-hardy varieties like Hayscented Ferns and Marginal Wood Ferns survive harsh winters and come back strong each spring, while others are evergreen in warmer climates. Browse Nature Hills' full fern selection to find a variety suited to your specific USDA growing zone and garden conditions.

How do you keep ferns healthy throughout the growing season?

Ferns thrive with consistent moisture, adequate shade, and protection from harsh afternoon sun, especially in warmer growing zones. During the growing season, keep soil evenly moist and apply a light layer of mulch to retain humidity and regulate soil temperature. Feed lightly with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new fronds emerge, and remove any dead or damaged fronds throughout the season to encourage fresh growth. Focus on replicating their natural woodland habitat with rich, well-draining soil and reliable moisture, and your ferns will reward you with lush, healthy fronds all season long.

When should you plant ferns in your garden?

The best time to plant ferns in your garden is in spring or fall when temperatures are mild and moisture is more consistent, giving roots time to establish before summer heat or winter cold sets in. Ferns thrive in USDA zones 3 through 9 depending on the variety, so choosing the right type for your region is essential. Cold-tolerant varieties like Hayscented Ferns can go in earlier in spring, while heat-loving types like Kimberly Queen or Foxtail Ferns are better suited for warmer climates and late spring planting. Keep newly planted ferns consistently moist through their first growing season to ensure strong establishment.

Can ferns grow indoors as well as outdoors?

Yes, ferns thrive both indoors and outdoors, making them incredibly versatile plants for any setting. Outdoors, they excel in shaded garden beds, rain gardens, and containers, while popular varieties like Boston Fern, Maidenhair Fern, and Dragon Fern make excellent houseplants. Choose your variety based on your setting, and place indoor ferns in bright indirect light with consistent moisture to keep them looking their best.

How do you care for ferns during winter?

Most hardy ferns are cold-tolerant perennials that will die back naturally in fall and return in spring, so minimal intervention is needed. Leave the fronds in place through late fall to protect the crown from freezing temperatures, then cut them back to the ground in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. In colder zones below USDA Zone 5, apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone after the first hard frost to insulate the crown. For potted or indoor ferns like Boston or Maidenhair, keep them in a bright, cool indoor space with consistent moisture through the winter months.

Should you cut back ferns in the fall or spring?

The best time to cut back most ferns depends on whether they are evergreen or deciduous. Deciduous ferns like Ostrich and Royal Ferns should be cut back in late fall after the first hard frost kills the fronds, or in early spring before new fiddleheads emerge. Evergreen ferns such as Autumn Ferns and Japanese Holly Ferns are best trimmed in early spring, removing only the tattered or winter-damaged fronds to make way for fresh new growth. Check your ferns in late winter and cut back dead or damaged fronds to within a few inches of the crown before the new season begins.

What soil conditions do ferns need to grow well?

Ferns thrive in moist, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter, mimicking the forest floor conditions where they naturally grow. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil pH and consistently cool, damp root zones, making them ideal for shaded garden areas that retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. Amend your planting area with compost or leaf mold before planting to improve both moisture retention and drainage, and apply a layer of mulch around the base to keep roots cool and consistently moist throughout the growing season.