Ostrich Fern Care: Essential Tips for a Thriving Garden

The Tennessee ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), often called ostrich fern, is a large, strikingly elegant fern known for its feathery, arching fronds resembling ostrich plumes. It is native to temperate regions of North America, including parts of Tennessee, and thrives in moist, shady environments, making it a popular choice for woodland gardens and shaded landscapes.

The Tennessee ostrich fern is hardy in zones 3-7, which includes much of the central and northern U.S., including Tennessee.

Why Ostrich Ferns Are the Perfect Addition to Your Landscape

Smaller ones thrive in a large planter or container on a deck or balcony, provided they are not in full sunlight. They are perennials, so they can be expected to grow in lawns or gardens year after year. Their hardiness makes them ideal for difficult-to-plant regions, including those that receive frost and snow in the winter.

Tennessee Ostrich Fern produces new fronds, called crowns, each year surrounding the previous year's growth. This means that the plant will consistently grow in size year after year. Once it reaches its desired size, it can be easily divided by splitting the root ball and replanting each half.

The fern produces two types of fronds:

• Sterile Fronds (the leafy green fronds): These are the large, lush, and feathery fronds that give the plant its characteristic look. They can grow up to 3 to 6 feet tall and arch outward, forming a vase-like shape.
• Fertile Fronds (spore-producing fronds): These fronds appear in the center of the plant later in the season and are shorter, darker, and more rigid. They turn brown in the fall and remain standing throughout the winter.

How to Plant and Grow Ostrich Fern for Lush, Green Foliage

Tennessee Ostrich Fern can be expected to grow to between 3 and 6 feet with lush, green fronds. Its fronds make an ideal backdrop for annual flowering plants and are large enough to delineate different landscape sections. The fronds can also provide a lush green color and texture to cut flower bouquets and arrangements.

Ostrich ferns are perfect for woodland or shade gardens, adding height and texture to the landscape.

Due to their spreading habit and love for moisture, they can be planted on shaded slopes or near streams where their roots help stabilize the soil.

Ostrich ferns prefer partial shade to full shade, though they can tolerate some morning sun, especially in cooler climates. Too much sun can scorch the fronds.

The plant spreads by underground rhizomes, creating colonies over time, which makes it useful as a natural ground cover.

This Is How Your Plants Will Look upon Delivery

Choose early spring or fall when the soil is moist and cool to plant healthy bare-root ferns. You can also use dormant plants to grow year-round. When you arrive, please soak the roots in water for several hours to rehydrate them. Ferns thrive in moist and shaded areas. Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread out the roots comfortably. Position the fern so the crown (where the roots meet the fronds) is just at or slightly below ground level. Gently backfill with soil firmly around the roots, and thoroughly water to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch for weed control and to retain moisture, ensuring the mulch does not touch the crown. Water during dry periods is used to keep soil moist but not soggy. Avoid fertilizing in the first year, as ferns prefer nutrient-rich soil over direct fertilization.

Shipping date depends on the date displayed and chosen when you order from the product's page.

We only accept returns on plants verified dead. If you think your plants have died, we offer a 1 year warranty, please use use this File a Claim Link to verify dead plants and start with return warranty process.