Ostrich Fern Care Guide: How to Grow Ostrich Ferns

“Ostrich fern” is the common name for Matteuccia struthiopteris, a deciduous fern with green fronds resembling ostrich feathers. The fern is a native plant in eastern North America and grows best in moist, cool climates. Ostrich ferns produce two types of fronds—showy, sterile fronds that begin as fiddleheads (furled fronds that form a spiral shape) and shorter, fertile fronds that produce spores.

Ostrich ferns spread through underground rhizomes, and, once established in the soil, they are typically hardy. They produce vibrant green fronds that resemble ostrich plumes, and they grow best in USDA hardiness zones three through seven.

1. 1. Light: The ostrich fern grows best in part shade or full shade because its leaves can burn and discolor if exposed to too much sunlight.
2. 2. Soil: Acidic soil (a pH between 5 and 6.5) and moist soil are necessary for ostrich ferns, particularly in USDA hardiness zones receiving a lot of heat.
3. 3. Water: Gardeners growing ostrich ferns in shade gardens should maintain medium to wet conditions throughout the summer. The plant is native to marshes and creekbeds, so more moisture is better than less.
4. 4. Pruning: Occasional trims are necessary because dense colonies of fern spread aggressively through underground rhizomes. Trim back your ostrich ferns in early spring as new growth emerges.

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