Types Of Ferns

Finding the right plants for those tricky spots in your garden can be a challenge. But there are many beautiful types of ferns that can thrive in just about any setting. From deep shade to sunny borders, these ancient plants offer texture, color, and a sense of calm. They are the perfect solution for adding lush greenery where other plants might struggle.

Ferns are some of the oldest plants on Earth, and they’ve adapted to a huge range of environments. This means you can almost certainly find one that fits your garden’s unique conditions. Whether you have a damp, shady corner or a dry, sunny wall, a fern can bring it to life. Let’s look at how to choose and care for them.

This list covers some of the most reliable and attractive ferns for home gardens. Each has its own special character and growing needs.

For Deep Shade

These ferns are champions of low-light areas, like under trees or on the north side of your house.

Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum): Known for its stunning silvery-gray fronds with hints of purple and red. It adds a splash of color to dark areas and prefers moist, well-drained soil.
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina): A delicate, lacy fern with bright green fronds. It’s a vigorous grower that forms elegant clumps and is very easy to please.
Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium): Unusual and striking, with long, strap-like, glossy green leaves. It loves cool, limestone-rich soil and constant moisture.

For Dry Shade

Dry shade is one of the toughest garden problems. These ferns are tough enough to handle it once established.

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): A native North American fern with dark, leathery, evergreen fronds. It’s very drought-tolerant and provides winter interest.
Eastern Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis): Another excellent evergreen native. It forms a vase-shaped clump and is remarkably resilient in dry, rocky soil under trees.
Polybody Fern (Polypodium vulgare): A small fern that often grows on rocks or walls. Its creeping habit and semi-evergreen foliage make it great for tricky, well-drained spots.

For Sunnier Spots

Yes, some ferns can handle sun! They typically need more consistent moisture when planted in brighter light.

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris): Tall and stately, with feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes. It loves wet soil and can spread to form large colonies, perfect for a wild garden look.
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora): New fronds emerge in coppery-pink shades, maturing to green. It tolerates some sun if the soil stays moist and provides beautiful color throughout the season.
Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum): A large, dramatic fern that produces separate, cinnamon-colored fertile fronds in the center. It thrives in consistently wet, acidic soil.

For Containers & Small Spaces

Don’t have a big garden? These ferns are perfectly suited for pots on a patio or balcony.

Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia): A charming fern with small, round, dark green leaflets on arching stems. It’s slow-growing and loves the well-drained conditions a pot provides.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum): Famous for its delicate, black stems and bright green, fan-shaped leaflets. It needs high humidity and protection from wind, making it ideal for a sheltered container.
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus): With its broad, shiny, apple-green fronds that form a central rosette, it looks almost tropical. It’s a fantastic architectural plant for a large pot in shade.

How to Plant Ferns in Your Garden

Getting ferns off to a good start is simple if you follow a few key steps. The right planting technique makes all the difference for their long-term health.

Choose the Right Time: The best times to plant are in early spring or early fall. The cooler temperatures and more reliable rainfall help the roots settle in without stress.
Prepare the Soil: Most ferns prefer soil rich in organic matter. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Mix some compost or leaf mold into the soil you removed.
Position the Plant: Place the fern in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Backfill with your enriched soil, gently firming it around the roots.
Water Thoroughly: Give your new fern a deep watering to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Keep the soil consistently moist for the first growing season.
Mulch: Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch, like shredded bark or leaf litter, around the base. This helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.

Caring for Your Ferns Through the Seasons

Once established, ferns are relatively low-maintenance. A little seasonal attention is all they need.

Spring: Clear away any old, tattered fronds from evergreen types to make way for new growth. Divide overcrowded clumps now if needed. Apply a light layer of compost as a feed.
Summer: Your main job is watering. Ferns in sun need frequent water, and even shade ferns need it during dry spells. Check soil moisture regularly.
Autumn: This is a great time to plant new ferns. Leave the fading fronds on deciduous types in place; they provide winter protection for the crown and habitat for wildlife.
Winter: For evergreen ferns, brush off heavy snow to prevent breakage. Otherwise, they require little care, resting quietly until spring.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Ferns are generally pest-free, but a few issues can pop up. Here’s how to handle them.

Brown, Crispy Fronds: This is almost always a sign of underwatering, too much sun, or low humidity. Increase watering frequency, consider moving the plant to a shadier spot, or mist container ferns.
Yellowing Fronds: Often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy. Improve drainage by adding grit to heavy soil.
Slugs and Snails: These pests love young, tender fern fronds. Use organic slug bait, beer traps, or hand-pick them in the evening to protect your plants.
No New Growth: If a fern looks stagnant, it might need dividing or feeding. Try applying a balanced, liquid fertilizer at half strength in late spring.

Design Ideas Using Ferns

Ferns are incredibly versatile in garden design. They can be stars or supporting players.

Woodland Garden: Combine different types of ferns with hostas, hellebores, and spring bulbs under trees for a natural, layered look.
Modern Shade Beds: Use large, architectural ferns like the Ostrich or Bird’s Nest Fern as focal points among clean-lined plants like hakonechloa grass.
Rock Gardens: Tuck small, drought-tolerant ferns like the Polybody between rocks where their fine texture can be appreciated up close.
Water Features: Plant moisture-loving ferns like Cinnamon or Ostrich Ferns along the edges of a pond or stream for a soft, natural effect.

Propagating Your Ferns

You can create new plants from your existing ferns for free. The easiest method is division.

In early spring, dig up a mature, healthy fern clump.
Use a sharp spade or knife to cut the root ball into smaller sections. Each section should have several healthy fronds and a good amount of roots.
Replant the divisions immediately at the same depth they were growing before.
Water them well and keep them shaded and moist until you see new growth, which indicates they have established.

FAQ About Garden Ferns

Are ferns easy to grow?
Most are very easy if you match them to the right light and moisture conditions. Start with tough varieties like Christmas Fern or Lady Fern for best results.

Do ferns need a lot of water?
It depends on the type. Ferns for wet areas need constant moisture, but many garden ferns just need soil that doesn’t dry out completely. Always check the specific needs of your chosen type.

Can ferns grow in full sun?
A few can, like the Ostrich Fern, but they will need much more water. Most ferns prefer partial to full shade for best growth and leaf color.

Should I cut my ferns back in fall?
It’s better to leave deciduous fern fronds over winter. They protect the plant and provide interest. Cut them back in early spring just before new growth appears.

What is the best fertilizer for ferns?
They are not heavy feeders. A top-dressing of compost in spring is usually sufficient. You can use a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growth if needed, but at half strength.

Adding ferns to your garden is a wonderful way to introduce timeless beauty and texture. With so many different types of ferns available, you can find the perfect ones to fill your empty spaces and create a greener, more serene outdoor haven. Their graceful forms have a way of making any garden feel established and complete.