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Ostrich Fern

Matteuccia struthiopteris

  • Elegant Vase-Shaped Fronds Unfurl Like Ostrich Plumes for Dramatic Wet Shade Gardens
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-7
  • Grows 3-6 ft Tall, 5-7 ft Wide
  • Native Perennial
  • Great Choice for Mass Planting in Cottage Gardens
Regular price $3180
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Outside your zone (): not guaranteed Why

Rated for zones 3 to 7. Great in a pot brought indoors for winter, or as an annual.

Houseplant: grows indoors in any zone
Will it grow in your garden?

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Plant Size

Specifications

Plant specifications
Hardiness Zone 3a to 7b
Sunlight Partial shade
Height 3-6 ft
Width 5-7 ft
Growth Rate Moderate
Watering Needs High
Preferred Soil Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Growth Habit Bushy, Upright
Blooms In Spring
Foliage Color Green
Plant Life Cycle Perennial
Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Deer-resistant, Wet Soils, Groundcover, Container Friendly, Attracts pollinators, Disease resistant, Edible, Fast-growing, Flowering, Fragrant, Drought resistant
Botanical Name Matteuccia struthiopteris
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
Some of the reviews shown are from related products the merchant grouped with this one.
K
Katie (United States)
Dinky little plant

Dinky little plant, mess from shipping, terrible customer service

D
Duane
Placement, Placement, Placement

The Ostrich Fern arrived as expected, well packed and ready to plant. I found a shady spot in the back yard, purchased a large planter to get the fern off the ground to be more visible. Planted deep in the planter, watered it in and let it grow. Everything was perfect. Great shape, great color and growing quickly. Then came a month and a half of very hot weather and no rain. The plant struggled. With the return of rain it is coming back in the cooler weather and better growing conditions of Fall.Must have regular periods of water, shade, and cooler weather. Look forward to seeing how it handles winter and a new growing season. Great expectations

Hello Duane,

Thank you so much for sharing your detailed experience with your Ostrich Fern! We're delighted to hear it arrived in great condition and that your thoughtful placement in a shaded, elevated planter is helping it thrive. Your observations about its struggle during that hot, dry stretch are spot on—this fern really does appreciate consistent moisture, shade, and milder temperatures to show its full beauty.

Since you're gearing up for winter, keep in mind that while Ostrich Ferns are quite hardy, making sure it’s well-watered before frost and mulching lightly can help protect its roots during colder months. When spring comes, gently refreshing the soil and continuing your watering routine should encourage a vigorous new growing season.

If you ever need personalized tips or want to explore companion plants that share similar growing needs, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d love to assist you further!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

D
Duan
Placement, Placement, Placement

The Ostrich Fern arrived as expected, well packed and ready to plant. I found a shady spot in the back yard, purchased a large planter to get the fern off the ground to be more visible. Planted deep in the planter, watered it in and let it grow. Everything was perfect. Great shape, great color and growing quickly. Then came a month and a half of very hot weather and no rain. The plant struggled. With the return of rain it is coming back in the cooler weather and better growing conditions of Fall.Must have regular periods of water, shade, and cooler weather. Look forward to seeing how it handles winter and a new growing season. Great expectations

Dear Duan,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your detailed experience with your Ostrich Fern! We’re delighted to hear that it arrived healthy and vibrant, and that you found a perfect shady spot to showcase its beautiful fronds by using a large planter. Your thoughtful placement and care truly make all the difference.

You’re absolutely right that Ostrich Ferns thrive with consistent watering, well-shaded conditions, and cooler weather. They can face some challenges during extended heat and drought, so your observations about the plant struggling a bit through the hot, dry spell are spot on. It’s wonderful to hear it’s bouncing back now with the change in weather and rain—this resilience is a great sign for the colder seasons ahead! When winter approaches, you might consider mulching at the base of your fern within the planter to help protect its root system from extreme temperature fluctuations.

If you’d like additional tips or products to support your fern through the seasons, feel free to check out our care guide for Ostrich Ferns on NatureHills.com or reach out anytime. We’re here to help you ensure your fern continues to grow beautifully.

Looking forward to hearing more about how your garden thrives!

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

L
Lisa
Thick plant

The older my ostrich fern gets, the thicker it gets. It is very colorful.

Hi Lisa,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your Ostrich Fern! It’s fantastic to hear that your fern is thriving and becoming thicker and even more colorful as it grows. These ferns can indeed make a stunning, lush addition to any garden space.

To keep your ostrich fern looking its best, be sure to provide it with consistently moist, well-drained soil and some shade, as they appreciate dappled sunlight rather than direct harsh sun. Mulching can help retain moisture around the roots, especially during dry spells. If you ever want to encourage even more growth or share them with friends, ostrich ferns are great for dividing in early spring or fall.

If you ever have questions or want tips on woodsy garden companions that complement your fern’s beauty, feel free to reach out!

RTL (root) in healthy, joyful gardening,
Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

L
Lisa
Thick plant

The older my ostrich fern gets, the thicker it gets. It is very colorful.

Dear Lisa B,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with your ostrich fern! It's wonderful to hear how beautifully thick and colorful your plant has become as it matures. Ostrich ferns are known for their lush, vibrant foliage, and it sounds like yours is thriving perfectly.

If you’re interested in further encouraging its growth or adding new planting companions, consider providing rich, moist soil and partial shade to mirror its natural woodland environment. Occasionally, a gentle mulch can help retain moisture and add nutrients as it breaks down. And if you're curious about shaping dense foliage or troubleshooting, feel free to explore our care guides or reach out—happy to support your garden journey!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

B
Betty
Wet and shady

Keep the Ostrich fern wet and in the shade and they grow great.

Hi Betty,

Thank you so much for sharing your insights about caring for the Ostrich fern! We really appreciate you highlighting the importance of keeping them moist and shaded—it’s such valuable information for fellow gardeners looking to nurture thriving ferns. Your experience clearly shows how the right conditions can help these elegant plants flourish.

If you’re ever looking for more tips, we recommend monitoring soil moisture carefully and using mulch to retain humidity, especially in drier areas. Additionally, Ostrich ferns do wonderfully in filtered light, so staying mindful of harsh afternoon sun can keep their fronds looking lush and vibrant.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions or simply want to share your plant stories with us—we love hearing from passionate gardeners like you!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

B
Betty
Wet and shady

Keep the Ostrich fern wet and in the shade and they grow great.

Hello Betty,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful tips on caring for Ostrich Fins – we truly appreciate you taking the time! You’re absolutely right: keeping them moist and in the shade creates the perfect environment for these lush, elegant ferns to thrive. Your insight will be very helpful to other plant enthusiasts looking to enjoy healthy, vibrant Ostrich Ferns as well.

If you’re ever looking for additional care advice, remember that Ostrich Ferns also benefit from rich, well-drained soil and consistent watering during dry spells. Mulching can help retain moisture and protect roots in hot weather, too.

Thanks again for your helpful feedback and happy gardening!

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

J
JGM
The perfect Fern, The Ostrich Fern

Beautiful as a Background focal point or center focal point with smaller varigated or unique ferns stratically placed and Hostas staggered among the lower or open spaces under trees are without question eye catching and stress releiving to say the least. Can not go wrong with this fern.

Dear JGM,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful insights about the Ostrich Fern! We couldn’t agree more—its graceful, feathery fronds truly make it a standout as both a background and center focal point. Your suggestion to pair it with smaller variegated ferns and Hostas creates such a harmonious and calming garden atmosphere, especially tucked under trees where they thrive beautifully. It’s great to hear how much you enjoy the stress-relieving qualities that come with cultivating these lovely combinations.

If you’re ever looking to expand on this serene setting, you might consider introducing complementary shade-loving groundcovers like pulmonaria or lilyturf, which can add even more texture and color variation throughout the seasons. And for ongoing care, ensuring consistently moist, well-drained soil will keep your Ostrich Fern looking lush and vibrant.

Thanks again for your thoughtful review—we’re thrilled your garden oasis is growing so beautifully!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

J
Jgm
The perfect Fern, The Ostrich Fern

Beautiful as a Background focal point or center focal point with smaller varigated or unique ferns stratically placed and Hostas staggered among the lower or open spaces under trees are without question eye catching and stress releiving to say the least. Can not go wrong with this fern.

Dear Jgm,

Thank you so much for sharing your insightful and thoughtful review of the Ostrich Fern! We’re thrilled to hear how well it serves both as a background or center focal point, especially when paired with variegated ferns and hostas. Your description truly captures the serene and stress-relieving atmosphere that beautiful greenery can bring to any space—such a wonderful reminder of why we love plants!

Your planting approach sounds absolutely stunning, and for others inspired by your design, here’s a tip: Ostrich ferns thrive in rich, moist, well-drained soils with partial to full shade, so continuing to stagger plant heights lets each variety get the light and moisture attentiveness it deserves while bringing texture and color harmony to wooded or shaded garden areas.

If you ever have any questions about fern care, pest tips, or landscaping ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always happy to provide tailored guidance!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does Ostrich Fern grow and when will I see mature size?

  • Ostrich Fern is slower to establish as it prioritizes root development first. Once established, it spreads and colonizes to form dense clumps. Be patient the first year while roots develop, then expect gradual spreading in years two and beyond.

Is Ostrich Fern deer resistant or will deer eat it?

  • Ostrich Fern is generally deer resistant, as deer typically avoid eating ferns due to their texture and taste. This native North American perennial thrives in the wet, shady conditions where deer browse is often problematic. For best results in deer-prone areas, plant in masses under dense tree canopy where this Award of Garden Merit winner naturally excels.

What plants pair well with Ostrich Fern in a shade garden?

  • Ostrich Fern creates a stunning backdrop for shade-loving Hosta and Bleeding Hearts. These moisture-loving companions thrive in the same cool, damp conditions that make Ostrich Fern flourish. Plant them in masses together for maximum impact in your woodland garden.

How do I care for Ostrich Fern during winter months?

  • Ostrich Ferns are hardy North American natives that brush off early spring freezes with ease. These perennials naturally die back to the ground in winter, requiring no special protection. Simply leave the dead fronds in place until spring to provide natural insulation, then cut them back when new fiddleheads emerge.

Can Ostrich Fern tolerate wet or boggy soil conditions?

  • Ostrich Fern thrives in wet, boggy conditions and handles waterlogged soil exceptionally well. It's perfect for rain gardens, pond edges, and those persistently damp spots where other plants struggle. Plant it in your wettest shade areas for best results.