$4.75–$44.50
In stockIn stock1
trefle.io · Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)
Polypodiaceae
Christmas fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Also known as Eastern sword fern, Canker brake, Dagger fern, Thelypteris acrostichoides
Zones 4–9Sun Partial ShadeWater ModerateCare Low
Indoor Plants · Native Plants · Fern · Evergreen · Shade · Native · Woodland · Groundcover · Low Maintenance · Hardy · Eastern North America
Beginner-friendlyIndoorAttracts pollinators
Toxicity: dogs, cats, horses — keep out of reach and wear gloves when pruning.
In stock at 1 nurseryStock updated 9/9/2026
Christmas fern is a tough, evergreen native fern that thrives in shaded to partly shaded spots with consistently moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. It is very low maintenance once established and tolerates drought better than most ferns, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens or shaded borders. Indoors, keep it away from direct sun and maintain moderate humidity for best results.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 3 hours
- Watering
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot; allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings · Every 7-10 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
Hardiness
USDA 4a-9b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Spacing
- 24 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flowers
- No
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alabama, Arkansas, Belgium, Connecticut, Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Masachusettes, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota
- Attracts
- Birds
Sources: trefle, usda, aspca
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