Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Dryopteridaceae family, native to Eastern North America (woodland slopes). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 40–70 cm (16–28 in) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -37 °C (-35 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Christmas fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Christmas fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Dryopteridaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 40–70 cm (16–28 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -37 °C (-35 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern North America (woodland slopes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Christmas fern toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Christmas fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Christmas fern in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (10 plants)
- Brooklyn Botanic Garden (10 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (16 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (8 plants)
Questions about Christmas fern
- How far apart should I plant Christmas fern?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–70 cm (16–28 in).
- Does Christmas fern need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Christmas fern need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Christmas fern?
- It tolerates about -37 °C (-35 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Christmas fern poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Christmas fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Christmas fern. Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Ferns do not flower; flowering values are placeholders.
- Evergreen fronds stay green through Christmas.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Western sword fern Polystichum munitum
- Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis