yardremake
A mature Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Accent · Border · Mass planting · Container · Naturalized · Riparian · Slope · Small space

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides · Perennial

Christmas Fern is a moderate-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-9, that matures to about 1–2 ft × 1–2 ft. It does best in part shade and full shade with low water needs in well-drained and moist soil. It attracts songbirds, stands up well to deer, fire and rabbits and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
3-9
Sun
Part shade, Full shade
Water
Low
Mature size
1–2 ft × 1–2 ft
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Moist
Attracts
Songbirds
Tough against
Deer, Fire, Rabbits
Native to
Eastern North America

Will it survive your winters?

We score Christmas Fern’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 9

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