Sensitive Fern

The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is a fantastic option to add natural beauty to your garden or landscape. This unique plant is known for its soft, lacy foliage and hardy nature, making it a popular choice among gardeners and landscapers.

Appearance and Growth Of Sensitive Fern

The fern features delicate, lacy fronds that grow up to three feet tall. Its bright green leaves have a soft, almost fuzzy texture, making them a favorite among those who enjoy tactile sensations in their gardens. This deciduous perennial fern typically grows in clumps, making it an excellent option for creating natural-looking borders or filling empty spaces.

Habitat and Care Of The Fern

Native to North America, the fern thrives in various habitats, including wetlands, forests, and meadows. It tolerates multiple growing conditions, including shade, sun, and moist or dry soils. While it prefers moist soils, it can survive drought conditions once established. Ferns are low-maintenance and require little care once installed, making them an excellent option for busy gardeners or landscapers.

Uses and Benefits 

Plant rhizomes are not only a beautiful addition to any landscape, but they also offer a range of benefits. They can help prevent soil erosion, improve air quality, and provide habitat and food for wildlife. People have also used plant rhizomes for medicinal purposes, including treating skin conditions and digestive issues. If you're ready to add the beauty and hardiness of the this fern to your landscape, order yours today. Our plants are healthy, well-rooted, and prepared to thrive in your garden or outdoor space. With their soft, lacy foliage and low-maintenance nature, they're sure to be a favorite among all who visit your garden.

Onoclea sensibilis is native to China and East Asia and is distributed widely throughout North America. Its rough leaves are well aligned to form a beautiful triangular shape.

Many use ferns as ornamental plants because they easily conform to the landscape. Ferns grow in swampy and moist areas and can be found in many regions. They thrive in wet soil and are mainly found along river bends and swamps.

The fern becomes attractive when planted and cared for because of its beautiful floral appearance. There are two types of these ferns: fertile ferns and sterile ferns. The fertile ferns produce pale red pinnae where sori are attached, ready for pollination.

The sterile fern is taller compared to the fertile fern. The ferns can tolerate dry areas as they cover the surface with their leaves, creating a cover for the soil. Many individuals use them when performing restoration projects.

They have been recommended in soil erosion and low humidity areas. The controlled evaporation by the shade from its leaves restores the soil's water-holding capability. If not appropriately silted, the fern becomes weedy.

Where To Find this Fern

The Sensitive fern is mainly found in recreational sites as it can grow again if trampled. Other than individuals using it for ornamental purposes, the fern has medicinal value. When it naturally grows in a region, it becomes a facultative indicator of high soil moisture content.

It is beautiful and requires less attention than other ornamental plants. It indicates a classic lifestyle, and many prefer planting it in flower pots and placing it on corridors or balconies.

Plant Name-Onoclea Sensibilis

Hardy Planting Zones-4-9

Sun or Shade-Part Sun/Full Shade

Mature Height-36" Mature Width-48"

Bloom Season-Summer (May to August)

Gardener Status-Beginner S

oil Type-Sandy Loam/Boggy Marshes

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.

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