Ostrich Fern Info Learn More About How To Grow Ostrich Ferns

Ostrich ferns should be planted in a shallow hole that has plenty of room for spreading roots. Make sure the crown sits just above soil level. Fill in around the roots with any average soil and water well. Take care of ostrich ferns for the first year or so by watering regularly.

How quickly do ostrich ferns spread?

Like all ferns, Ostrich ferns are plants that will spread fast. Ferns will hit the spring time and burst into action, they will grow quickly and they will also spread relatively quickly as well. Of course this doesn't happen overnight but do be aware of your ferns spreading.

How much sun can ostrich ferns take?

Ostrich ferns prefer shady conditions. These ferns are tougher than most, though, and can tolerate a decent amount of sunlight as long as they do not dry out. The more sun they are in, the more moisture they require.

How far apart should you plant ostrich ferns?

Because each ostrich fern can grow 5 to 8 feet wide, provide at least 5 feet of space between each fern and other plants.

What is the best way to grow ferns?

Light/Watering: All Ferns thrive in light to heavy shade. A few, such as Lady Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina) will grow in full sun in the North, provided the planting site is damp. Water Ferns regularly if rain is not sufficient, and do not let the soil get completely dry.

Where is the best place to plant a fern?

Light. Most ferns prefer a shady location, but they don't do well in deep shade. The dabbled shade provided by tree branches provide the best conditions. Think about how they grow in the forest and try and find similar conditions in your yard.

Do ferns multiply?

Ferns can multiply naturally via two mechanisms, vegetative and sexual. Vegetative reproduction occurs by producing new plantlets along underground runners, or rhizomes. ... Fertilized eggs make the large plants we normally see as ferns.

How tall do ostrich ferns get?

Matteuccia struthiopteris, commonly called ostrich fern, is a clump-forming, upright to arching, rhizomatous, deciduous fern which typically grows 2-3' tall in cultivation, but may reach 6' tall in moist, cool climates in the wild.

Are ostrich ferns invasive?

Ostrich Ferns can be invasive. They grow very quickly and can soon overrun an area that was once full of a diverse range of plants and flowers. If you are planning on planting Ostrich Ferns make sure you do so in an area that can be controlled to prevent them from taking over.

Can Ferns get some sun?

Sunlight. A limited number of ferns tolerate full sunlight; however, frequent watering and consistently moist soil is critical. Sun-tolerant ferns include cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) which reaches heights of 24 to 36 inches and grows in USDA zones 2 through 10.

Why is my ostrich fern dying?

The Ostrich Fern (Matteucia pennsylvanica) requires a moister soil than the Male Fern and really needs a moist soil to grow its best. ... If located in drier soil or in a sunnier location it could brown earlier in the season due to drought stress.

When can I transplant ostrich ferns?

The best time to transplant Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) in New York is in the spring before it produces its first new leaves. Several weeks before the average last frost would be a good date to do your transplanting.

Do you cut back ostrich ferns?

Clip off the fronds at the base when they go dormant in fall. The fertile fronds in the center keep an attractive appearance much longer than the outer green fronds, so these can be left until they also turn brown at some point in the winter. Ostrich fern is not troubled by any pests or disease.

Are coffee grounds good for ferns?

In most cases, the grounds are too acidic to be used directly on soil, even for acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas and hollies. Coffee grounds inhibit the growth of some plants, including geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass.

Do ferns grow back if you cut them?

Cut back to the base if desired.

If you are not liking the look of your plant at all, you can cut it down to just above the crown, much as you do with an outdoor fern. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off the fronds. The fern will grow back from the crown, if you let it remain.

Do ferns need a lot of water?

As a rule, they prefer 1 to 2 inches of water a week, but this also depends on the soil and the growth rate. Ferns grown in light, sandy soil require more frequent watering than those grown in dense clay soil. ... Check the soil often and develop a watering routine that keeps the soil moist, but not soggy.

Do ferns grow back every year?

Ferns are perennial plants, those that live for many years. Annual plants are the ones you have to replant every year.

What Ferns take full sun?

Both the male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas, and the scaly (golden) male fern, D. affinis, are among the most sun-tolerant of the evergreen fern species.

How long does a fern live?

Some types of ferns can live up to 100 years.

Do ferns spread fast?

Most ferns spread quickly, and some grow quite large. Know their habits, sizes, and spreads before planting. ... Ferns generally require rich, moist soil with extra organic matter, but some prefer drier, less fertile soil.

How do you tell if a fern is male or female?

Scientists previously knew that the factor that determines which sex a specific fern will end up as is a hormone called gibberellin. If the hormone is present in large enough quantities as the plant develops, the fern usually becomes a male, and if it isn't, it becomes a female.

Can you take cuttings from a fern?

Propagating ferns from cuttings

Fronds can be bowed over and pegged down on the surface of a tray positioned next to the mother plant, then detached once rooted. Fern fronds can also be removed then placed and pegged to encourage rooting (facing upwards) on the surface of a tray of compost.