Male fern Dryopteris filix-mas
Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Dryopteridaceae family, native to Europe, Asia and North America (woodland). It grows 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) tall and 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) wide, wants shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
Plan Male fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Male fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Dryopteridaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Europe, Asia and North America (woodland) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Male fern toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: rhizome, fronds
Rhizome contains filicin (once a worming drug); poisonous if eaten.
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 Male fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and moderate water.
See Male fern in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (6 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (10 plants)
- New York Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (16 plants)
Questions about Male fern
- How far apart should I plant Male fern?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft).
- Does Male fern need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Male fern need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Male fern?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Male fern poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Rhizome contains filicin (once a worming drug); poisonous if eaten.
- What grows well with Male fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Male 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).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Wildflowers and meadows, Plantlife (UK)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Ferns do not flower; flowering values are placeholders.
- Fronds die back in hard winters and unfurl in April.
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
- Christmas fern Polystichum acrostichoides
- 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