The male fern is a deciduous fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to the northern temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North Africa and North America. The specific epithet means “male fern.” It was thought to be more robust and vigorous (characteristics coded as masculine) than the similar lady fern ( Athyrium filix-femina ) . The erect fronds are 3 feet tall and occasionally 4 feet. Allow 3 feet between plants. Even though it prefers moist, well-drained, organically-rich soil, it adapts to various soil conditions and grows in dappled sun to full shade. Strong winds can damage the fronds if not sheltered. Propagation can be done by division or spores. The fern tolerates deep shade, rabbits, deer, and clay soil. It received the Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, which indicates it is robust, hardy, and easy to grow. The fronds are a showy dull green and turn coppery in the fall. Plant as a specimen or mass planting in woods, naturalized areas, and shade or winter gardens. Use in borders or as an underplanting of shrubs. It can grow in winter gardens, children’s gardens, shade gardens and rock gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Dryopteris .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Stiff, lustrous, dark green fronds 8 in. wide, form a flattened vase; lance-shaped blade tapers at each end; pinnate-pinnatified; pinna long with deep cuts and blunt segments; short, densely scaly stipe with brown scales; sori near midrib The fronds are 3 to 4 feet long, 8 inches wide and taper at each end. There are 20 to 30 pairs of leaflets (pinna) that are further divided into short, finely serrated pinnules.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores. The form on the underside of fertile fronds in two rows and are released in August to Novenber.
Stem detail
The stalks are covered with orange-brown scales
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Woodland
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden