Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Also listed as Osmunda cinnamomea, Struthiopteris cinnamomea
Climate Match for your location
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A native fern with distinctive cinnamon-colored fertile fronds that emerge in spring, followed by sterile green fronds. It thrives in wet woodland settings and adds texture and seasonal interest to shade gardens.
Why grow it
Cinnamon fern offers reliable seasonal interest through its dimorphic frond strategy, with fertile fronds providing warm color in spring before green sterile fronds take over for summer shade. Compared to other native North American ferns, its upright, vase-like growth habit and distinct two-frond system make it a more architecturally distinctive choice for wet woodland gardens. It tolerates consistently moist to boggy soils better than many shade ferns, making it valuable for poorly drained sites.
Watch out for
Cinnamon fern spreads slowly by rhizomes, so it may take several seasons to establish a mature colony. Young plants often sulk after transplanting and perform better when given time to acclimate before significant size is expected. In very dry years, supplemental watering during establishment helps ensure good establishment, particularly if site moisture naturally varies seasonally.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Osmundaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native fern with distinctive cinnamon-colored fertile fronds that emerge in spring, followed by sterile green fronds. It thrives in wet woodland settings and adds texture and seasonal interest to shade gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cinnamon Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cinnamon fern offers reliable seasonal interest through its dimorphic frond strategy, with fertile fronds providing warm color in spring before green sterile fronds take over for summer shade. Compared to other native North American ferns, its upright, vase-like growth habit and distinct two-frond system make it a more architecturally distinctive choice for wet woodland gardens. It tolerates consistently moist to boggy soils better than many shade ferns, making it valuable for poorly drained sites.
Watch out for
Cinnamon fern spreads slowly by rhizomes, so it may take several seasons to establish a mature colony. Young plants often sulk after transplanting and perform better when given time to acclimate before significant size is expected. In very dry years, supplemental watering during establishment helps ensure good establishment, particularly if site moisture naturally varies seasonally.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Osmundaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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