Shield, Holly, or Sword Fern
Polystichum species (POLYPODIACEAE)
Planting and Growing Shield Fern
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow shield, holly, or sword fern in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Fronds, and spores of shield, holly, or sword fern
- Growing conditions for shield, holly, or sword fern
- When and where to plant shield, holly, or sword fern
- How to plant shield, holly, or sword fern
- How to shape, prune and control growth of shield, holly, or sword fern
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of shield, holly, or sword fern
- Landscape uses of shield, holly, or sword fern
- Pest and disease control for shield, holly, or sword fern
Growing Shield Fern
About 120 species of slow- to medium-growing, erect, mounding or arching, rhizomatous, deciduous or evergreen ferns, 1–5 ft. (30–150 cm) tall and wide, with shiny, smooth or leathery, green, lance-shaped, divided fronds, 6–60 in. (15–150 cm) long, with blade-shaped, sharply cut, toothed, opposite leaflets, 1–5 in. (25–125 mm) long, on brown, fibrous stems.
Commonly cultivated species include Christmas fern, Polystichum acrostichoides; mountain holly fern, Polystichum lonchitis; and Japanese lace fern, Polystichum polyblepharum.
See also: Western Sword Fern, Polystichum munitum.
Shield Fern Planting and Care Guide
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Varies by species. Most species are hardy in zones 5–9, some to zone 2.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained, sandy humus. Fertility: Rich. 6.0–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Partial to full shade. Space 6–30 in. (15–75 cm) apart, depending on species.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist. Fertilize every 2 months. Deadhead old, broken fronds. Propagate by division, spores.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, hanging baskets, beds, borders, containers, ground covers in natural, shade, small-space, woodland gardens. Good as houseplant. Pest and disease resistant.