Ostrich Fern
Matteuccia struthiopteris
Also listed as Onoclea struthiopteris, Matteuccia nodulosa
Also known as Shuttlecock Fern, Fiddle Fern
Climate Match for your location
See how well Ostrich Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A deciduous fern with feathery, ostrich-plume-like fronds that emerge bright green in spring. It thrives in shaded, moist woodland conditions and spreads by underground rhizomes to form attractive colonies.
Why grow it
Ostrich fern offers one of the most reliable deciduous fern options for cool, damp woodland gardens where many other ferns struggle with heat or drought. Unlike many shade ferns that require precise moisture levels, it tolerates seasonal wet-dry cycles common in temperate forests and establishes quickly through rhizomatous spread. Its bright spring emergence and robust colonial habit make it more visually distinctive than smaller species like lady fern, though it demands adequate space to expand.
Watch out for
Ostrich fern prefers consistent moisture and can decline in consistently dry shade, so site selection matters more than most ferns. Young plants may take a season or two to establish before the characteristic rhizomatous spread becomes apparent. In warmer climates beyond its native range, afternoon shade and mulching help compensate for heat stress.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onocleaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere temperate regions
Native to: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is widely grown; 'Cristata' has crested frond tips and is a popular ornamental variant prized for its unique texture.
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous fern with feathery, ostrich-plume-like fronds that emerge bright green in spring. It thrives in shaded, moist woodland conditions and spreads by underground rhizomes to form attractive colonies.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Ostrich Fern grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Ostrich fern offers one of the most reliable deciduous fern options for cool, damp woodland gardens where many other ferns struggle with heat or drought. Unlike many shade ferns that require precise moisture levels, it tolerates seasonal wet-dry cycles common in temperate forests and establishes quickly through rhizomatous spread. Its bright spring emergence and robust colonial habit make it more visually distinctive than smaller species like lady fern, though it demands adequate space to expand.
Watch out for
Ostrich fern prefers consistent moisture and can decline in consistently dry shade, so site selection matters more than most ferns. Young plants may take a season or two to establish before the characteristic rhizomatous spread becomes apparent. In warmer climates beyond its native range, afternoon shade and mulching help compensate for heat stress.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Onocleaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere temperate regions
Native to: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar herbs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
The species itself is widely grown; 'Cristata' has crested frond tips and is a popular ornamental variant prized for its unique texture.