Lady fern is a deciduous fern in the Athyriaceae family that is native to temperate Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is found growing in moist shady woodland conditions and is very cold tolerant. Genus name comes from the Greek athyros meaning "doorless" in regards to the slowly opening hinged indusia (spore covers). The specific epithet comes from Latin filix meaning fern and femina meaning woman. Hence the common name of lady fern. This is an easy-to-grow fern in amended moist well-drained soils in full to partial shade. It will tolerate more sun if the soil is kept moist. Propagation can be done by dividing clumps and planting them at soil level. The spores can also be planted. Lady fern will reach 2-3 feet high and spread 1-3 ft wide. The fronds of lady fern can grow up to 3 feet long and 1 foot wide in a graceful arching manner. The spores occur on the undersides and are concealed by indusium that opens to release spores. This non-aggressive fern will slowly spread to form clumps making it an easily maintained ground cover. It can be used in the border of shady gardens, along woodlands, ponds or streams. In the southeast, the southern lady fern is a more appropriate choice. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
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
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Elliptical
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Large light green fronds arise from a central point forming a clump. They are three pinnately divided into pinnae. The lower pinnae are shorter than the middle. Shape of the frond is elliptical. Spores are on the underside of the pinnae and are covered in brown indusium. Fronds can reach 3 feet long and 1 foot wide.
Flower detail
No flowers
Fruit detail
Spores form on the undersides if the frond
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Lower section of the green to reddish stems may have papery scales at the base
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe, Asia and Africa
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Pond; Riparian; Woodland
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; English Garden; Garden for the Blind; Shade Garden