Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris (formerly Matteuccia pensylvanica syn. Pteretis struthiopteris) (POLYPODIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Ostrich Fern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow ostrich fern in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, fronds, and spores of ostrich fern
- Growing conditions for ostrich fern
- When and where to plant ostrich fern
- How to plant ostrich fern
- How to shape, prune and control growth of ostrich fern
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of ostrich fern
- Landscape uses of ostrich fern
- Pest and disease control for ostrich fern
Growing Ostrich Fern
A few cultivars of erect, fountain-shaped, arching, rhizomatous, deciduous ferns, 5–10 ft. (1.5–3 m) tall and 3–4 ft. (90–120 cm) wide, with long, deep green, divided sterile leaves, to 10 ft. (3 m) long, and short, green, double-divided fertile leaves, to 4 ft. (1.2 m) long, on stiff, hairy, fibrous stalks.
Ostrich ferns are native to the temperate regions of Europe, Northern Asia, and North America.
Ostrich Fern Planting and Care Guide
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 1–8. Hardy. Best in moist, cool-summer climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy humus or, in water features, shoreline sites. Fertility: Rich. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun to full shade. Space 2–3 ft. (60–90 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize monthly. Deadhead old, broken fronds. Protect from heat, wind. Propagate by division, spores.
About This Species
Good choice for backgrounds, banks, fencelines, slopes in bog, mountain, shade, woodland gardens and water feature shorelines. Sterile-leaf fiddleheads are edible; good for stir-fry or steaming. Pest and disease resistant.