Christmas Fern, also known as Polystichum acrostichoides, is a perennial from primarily eastern North America with leaves that stay green even through the holiday season. This plant’s popularity comes from its fountain-like fronds that spawn from its base.
The Appearance Of The Christmas Fern
The fronds of this evergreen Christmas Fern plant generally grow to 1 to 2 feet long, while the plant usually grows 2 to 3 feet tall. The fronds stay glossy and green all year, although longer when the plant is fertile. The fern is also among the first to emerge again in the spring. When the fronds emerge, they are initially upright. They later arch gently to the ground and become solid ground cover when fully mature. This also means their appearance will change slightly throughout the year, refreshing the look of a large garden.
Where To Plant Christmas Ferns
The fern performs best in excellent, moist soil with lots of shade, as this plant originated from a rocky, vegetation-lush habitat. The USDA says it grows best in hardiness zones 3 through 9. This hardy fern plant is also resistant to damage from pests such as small animals and deer, making it an excellent choice for those in northern states with deer problems. It provides excellent ground cover and accents. They can be used as a border for a more extensive garden, to fill space in a large yard, or even as a potted houseplant.
Christmas Ferns Are Low-maintenance
Christmas Ferns can also be placed in a planter. Be sure to mist them at least once a week to allow for moist but not excessively saturated soil. Indoors, these plants will do best near a window that provides daytime sunlight and afternoon shade to prevent overexposure to the sun or the risk of drying out the fern’s soil. Luckily, this fern isn’t hard to care for and does not need to be regularly pruned, making it an excellent choice for a gardener.
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