Images Depict Mature Plants
Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich Fern is one of the best ferns for creating that lush, established woodland look in shade. The tall, feathered fronds give the garden height and movement, and the plant can fill in beautifully when it has moist, rich soil. I especially like it in larger shade beds with hostas, astilbe, heuchera, hellebores, and bleeding hearts, where the fern texture can soften the whole planting and make the space feel cool and natural.
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Tall Native Fern for Lush Woodland Shade
Tall feathery fronds with a graceful woodland texture.
Ostrich Fern produces tall, upright, green fronds that arch outward in a vase shape, creating the soft, feathered look that gives this fern its common name. The fresh green fronds bring movement, height, and cooling texture to shaded landscapes, making them especially useful where homeowners want a more natural woodland feel. Use Ostrich Fern to soften shaded foundations, fill under open-canopy trees, line woodland paths, or create a lush backdrop behind lower shade perennials.
A native fern for moist shade gardens.
Matteuccia struthiopteris is a hardy perennial fern native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, and northern Asia, with North American forms especially associated with moist woods, river bottoms, and shaded wetland edges. In the garden, it performs best in part shade to full shade with rich, consistently moist, humusy soil. It is a strong choice for rain gardens, damp woodland borders, streamside plantings, and other shaded spaces where the soil stays cool and evenly moist.
A bold background plant for layered shade designs.
Ostrich Fern is larger and more architectural than many common garden ferns, making it useful as a background plant or massing fern in larger shade beds. The upright fronds pair beautifully with hostas, astilbe, heuchera, hellebores, brunnera, foamflower, carex, bleeding hearts, and other woodland perennials. Its bright green texture can make dark-shade gardens feel fuller, cooler, and more finished, especially when repeated throughout a planting.
Spreading colonies for naturalized plantings.
Ostrich Fern spreads by underground rhizomes and can form attractive colonies when grown in rich, moist soil. This is an advantage for homeowners who want a naturalized fern patch, erosion-softening ground cover, or a woodland garden that fills in over time. In smaller beds, it is best to give Ostrich Fern room to spread or manage the colony by dividing and removing unwanted runners as needed.
Deer-resistant foliage with low-maintenance appeal.
Ostrich Fern is commonly considered deer-resistant, making it a practical texture plant for shaded landscapes where browsing pressure can be frustrating. It is also low maintenance once established in the right conditions, as long as the soil does not dry out. The most important care detail is moisture: Ostrich Fern should not be planted in hot, dry shade or on exposed, windy sites where the fronds and soil dry out too quickly.
| Botanical Name | Matteuccia struthiopteris |
|---|---|
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-8 |
| Mature Height: | 3 to 6 Feet |
| Mature Width: | 3 to 4 Feet |
| Sunlight: | Part shade to full shade; tolerates some morning sun only with consistent moisture |
| Soil | Rich, humusy, consistently moist to wet, well-drained soil |
| Water Requirements: | Water regularly after planting; prefers constant moisture and should not be allowed to dry out |
| Foliage | Tall, bright green, feathery sterile fronds with separate upright brown fertile fronds |
| Ornamental Features | Tall vase-shaped habit, feather-like fronds, native woodland texture, colony-forming growth, seasonal fertile fronds |
| Wildlife Value | Provides cover and shade-garden habitat structure |
| Resistance | Deer resistant in many landscapes; shade tolerant; tolerant of moist to wet soils; low maintenance when kept moist |
| Landscape Uses | Woodland gardens, shade borders, rain gardens, moist slopes, stream edges, under open-canopy trees, naturalized plantings, shaded foundations, and large shade masses |
How to Care for Ostrich Fern
After purchasing your Ostrich Fern, be sure to read about the recommended care instructions to ensure a happy and healthy plant for years to come.
How should I plant Ostrich Fern?
Plant Ostrich Fern in part shade to full shade with rich, moist, humusy soil. Choose a site where the soil stays consistently damp but not stagnant, such as a woodland bed, a shaded rain garden, a stream edge, or a protected area beneath open-canopy trees. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and set the crown level with the surrounding soil. Backfill, water deeply, and space plants about 24 to 36 inches apart to allow room for the tall fronds and natural spreading habit.
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How often should I water Ostrich Fern after planting?
Water Ostrich Fern regularly during the first growing season while the roots establish. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during warm weather, dry spells, or the first several weeks after planting. Once established, Ostrich Fern still performs best with steady moisture and should not be allowed to dry out for long periods. If fronds brown, crisp, or collapse during summer, dry soil, hot sun, or wind exposure may be the cause.
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When should I fertilize Ostrich Fern?
Fertilize Ostrich Fern lightly in spring with compost, leaf mold, or a gentle organic fertilizer if the soil is poor. Rich organic matter is more important than heavy feeding because this fern naturally thrives in woodland soils. Avoid strong fertilizer applications, which are usually unnecessary and can push soft growth. A yearly layer of compost or shredded leaf mulch helps feed the soil, conserve moisture, and keep the root zone cool.
When and how should I prune Ostrich Fern?
Prune Ostrich Fern by removing old, damaged, or collapsed fronds in late fall after frost or in early spring before new fiddleheads emerge. Cut dead fronds close to the base without damaging the crown. During the growing season, remove browned or wind-damaged fronds as needed to keep the planting tidy. If the fern colony spreads beyond its intended space, dig and divide the rhizomes in spring or fall.
