Polystichum acrostichoides – Christmas Fern

General Information: Among the most handsome of the Eastern US Native Ferns, with neat, lustrous green, evergreen foliage. Well suited for growing in small gardens, as it remains in a tight clump. One of the few native plants which can be grown satisfactorily as a house plant. The fronds also make for a lovely decoration, especially around the holidays, the source of the plant’s common name. Providing year-round color and an intriguing appearance, in the winter the fronds will lay prostrate after the first killing frost. Soil builds readily under the fallen fronds, as these Ferns encourage the breakdown of organic matter into humus. There is a recently discovered species of Moth (Herpetogramma sphingealis) from Eastern and Central North America whose larvae may feed exclusively on the fronds of this Fern. We have a specimen that appeared near the corner of the entrance to the tractor shed on our farm. This Fern fits in perfectly, nestled between the foundation and one of our American Plum trees, where the soil is moist, shady, and rich in organic leaf matter. While rarely used in modern herbalism, the plant has documented medicinal use amongst the Indigenous Peoples of North America.

Cultivation Details: Our plants are 1-2 years old, which is an ideal size for them to be shipped. They can be expected to fill out once planted. As the plants age, they develop a thick cortex around the root systems, requiring a bulky root ball to be dug and making them somewhat of a chore to transplant. At maturity, the fronds are generally between 1.5-2 feet tall, although they can occasionally grow larger in ideal environments. The plant is effective in erosion control and is useful as a border planting, a foundation planting along the north side of structures, an ornamental in a shade or woodland garden, and in native plant gardens to attract wildlife. The fronds are Deer resistant.

Growing Requirements: Prefers partial to full shade. Will tolerate nearly full sun as long as there is protective shade from the midday sun and the soil remains moist. Prefers moist soils. Succeeds best in rich, sandy, or rocky soil. Quite adaptable to other soil types. Tolerates clay soils if amended with a deep layer of organic matter. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils.

Fun Facts: Owing to the plant’s unique evergreen characteristic, the species name “acrostichoides” was given, which means “resembling Acrostichum.”  Acrostichum is the genus of Leather Swamp Ferns that inhabit tropical areas.