YardRemake
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)Foliage

In the landscape

AccentBorderMass plantingContainerNaturalizedRiparianSlopeSmall space

Data sources

Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern is a medium-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, 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

Freeze survival

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.

See the Christmas Fern in your own yard

Upload a photo and our AI designs with real plants like this one — matched to your USDA zone.

Related

More foliage