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Ghost Fern

Athyrium x 'Ghost'

  • Silvery-Gray Fronds with Upright Habit: the Perfect Ghost Fern for Shade Gardens
  • Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 4-8
  • Grows 2-2.5 ft Tall, 1.5-2 ft Wide
  • Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
  • Great Choice for Foundation Planting in Cottage Gardens
$3454
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Outside your zone (): not guaranteed Why

Rated for zones 4 to 8. Great in a pot brought indoors for winter, or as an annual.

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Houseplant: grows indoors in any zone
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Hardiness Zone 4a8b
Sunlight Partial shade
Height 2-2.5 ft
Width 1.5-2 ft
Growth Rate Moderate
Watering Needs Moderate
Preferred Soil Peaty
Landscape Use Border, Woodland Garden
Growth Habit Compact
Blooms In Spring
Foliage Color Green, Other, Variegated
Plant Characteristics Cold hardy, Low Maintenance, Wet Soils, Deer-resistant, Groundcover, Container Friendly
Botanical Name Athyrium x 'Ghost'
Does Not Ship To AK, HI, ID, MT, PR
This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.
D
Donna
Easy to grow

I could not find a plant that I needed by a shade tree in the back yard. Ghost fern was my answer, I am very happy with how the silvery fronds have brightened up the area. I think I will order a couple more.

Hi Donna,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Ghost Fern! We’re delighted to hear that its silvery fronds have brought new light and beauty beneath your shade tree. Ferns like these are truly charming companions for those tricky shaded spots.

If you decide to add more Ghost Ferns to your garden, they’ll certainly create an even more vibrant and lush understory. Just a quick tip: keeping the soil consistently moist and enriching it with organic matter can help them thrive even more beautifully in shaded areas. And feel free to check out our care guides for ferns on NatureHills.com if you ever want some extra tips.

Thanks again for your great feedback—happy planting, and we’re here if you need any plant advice or suggestions in the future!

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

D
Daniel
Shade

My blue leaved hostas needed companion plants so I ordered three Ghost ferns to mix in with them. I love the combination since the ferns have excellent upright habits and silvery-gray fronds blend in well with my hostas. So pleased, and proud with the results!

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely experience with your Ghost ferns and blue-leaved hostas! We’re thrilled to hear that the upright habit and silvery-gray fronds of the ferns complement your hostas so well—creating a cohesive and vibrant shade garden is such a rewarding feeling. Your thoughtful approach to companion planting really shines through, and we’re glad the Ferns have added that perfect touch you were looking for.

As your garden grows, you might find it helpful to keep the Ghost fern’s moisture needs in mind—they thrive best in consistently moist, well-drained soil especially in shady spots. Mulching around the base can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, making the ferns even happier beside your hostas. If you’re interested, we also have tips on pairing other shade-loving plants that thrive alongside ferns and hostas to expand your garden’s palette even more.

Thanks again for your kind feedback—it’s always a joy to hear how our plants help bring your garden vision to life!

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

D
Daniel
Shade

My blue leaved hostas needed companion plants so I ordered three Ghost ferns to mix in with them. I love the combination since the ferns have excellent upright habits and silvery-gray fronds blend in well with my hostas. So pleased, and proud with the results!

Hi Daniel,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Ghost ferns! We’re delighted to hear how beautifully they complement your blue-leaved hostas. The upright growth and silvery-gray fronds really do make a striking pairing, and it sounds like you’ve created a stunning garden display to be proud of.

If you ever want to further enhance that shade garden vignette, you might consider adding a few other shade-loving companions like astilbe or heuchera, which could provide extra texture and bursts of color throughout the seasons. Also, be sure to keep an eye on consistent moisture levels for both hostas and ferns, as they thrive with steady watering and rich, well-draining soil.

Thanks again, Daniel, for taking the time to write in and celebrate your gardening success with us!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Donna
Easy to grow

I could not find a plant that I needed by a shade tree in the back yard. Ghost fern was my answer, I am very happy with how the silvery fronds have brightened up the area. I think I will order a couple more.

Hello Donna,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the Ghost fern! We’re delighted to hear that its silvery fronds have brought a bright, fresh touch to the shaded spot in your backyard. Ghost ferns truly make an attractive and resilient addition to areas with limited sunlight, so it’s fantastic to know it met your needs so well.

Ordering a couple more sounds like a great idea to extend that lovely glow! If you need any tips for caring for your new ferns or ideas on creative planting combinations that thrive in shade, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our team is always here to help your garden flourish.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

E
Elaine
Foliage color

The Ghost fern looks gorgeous in a shade garden with its silvery color.

Hello Elaine,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely observation about the Ghost fern! We’re delighted to hear that its silvery foliage enhances your shade garden so beautifully. It truly is a unique plant that brings a graceful touch to indirect light areas.

If you ever need tips on optimal care or companion plants to complement the Ghost fern’s subtle color, feel free to reach out. They thrive with consistent moisture and well-drained soil—keeping those conditions in mind will help maintain that gorgeous silvery hue year-round.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

E
Elaine
Foliage color

The Ghost fern looks gorgeous in a shade garden with its silvery color.

Hello Elaine,

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on the Ghost Fern! We’re thrilled to hear how well its silvery foliage is enhancing your shade garden—its unique color indeed makes it a standout in low-light areas. If you ever want to keep that beautiful hue vibrant, make sure to provide consistent moisture and avoid direct sunlight too, as those can dull the foliage.

If you’re looking to complement your Ghost Fern with other shade-loving plants, feel free to explore our collection of shade perennials and annuals—they make wonderful companions that can add texture and varietal interest to your garden space.

Thanks again for your lovely feedback. Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zones is Ghost Fern hardy in?
  • Ghost Fern is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8. This wide hardiness range makes it suitable for most temperate climates across the United States. Plant in consistently moist, well-draining soil in partial to full shade for best results.

How fast does Ghost Fern grow and when will I see full size?
  • Ghost Fern grows at a moderate pace, reaching its full 30-inch height and 2-foot spread over 2-3 growing seasons. These hardy perennials (zones 4-8) spread politely without becoming invasive. For best results, plant in spring and expect noticeable growth by mid-summer. Shop quality Ghost Ferns at naturehills.com.

Does Ghost Fern produce flowers and if so, what color and when do they bloom?
  • Ghost Fern does not produce flowers, as ferns reproduce through spores rather than blooms. This perennial focuses its energy on creating stunning silvery-gray foliage with maroon midribs that provides season-long interest in zones 4-8. Enjoy the graceful fronds as your primary ornamental feature in shade gardens.

Is Ghost Fern deer resistant or will deer eat it?
  • Ghost Fern is generally deer resistant, as most ferns are naturally unpalatable to deer due to their texture and taste. The silvery fronds and lacy foliage typically remain undamaged even in areas with deer pressure. For best results in zones 4-8, plant in shaded areas where the fern's natural deer resistance combines with less deer traffic.

How do I care for Ghost Fern during winter months?
  • Ghost Fern is hardy in USDA zones 4-8 and dies back naturally in winter. Simply cut back the brown fronds to ground level after the first hard frost. The roots will remain dormant underground and send up fresh silvery fronds in spring. Shop quality Ghost Ferns at naturehills.com.
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