Ostrich fern Matteuccia struthiopteris
Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a deciduous perennial groundcover in the Onocleaceae family, native to Temperate North America, Europe and Asia (moist woodland and floodplains). It grows 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
Plan Ostrich fern in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ostrich fern at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Onocleaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Yes: fiddleheads (cooked thoroughly) |
| Native to | Temperate North America, Europe and Asia (moist woodland and floodplains) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Ostrich fern toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
- Parts: raw fiddleheads
Raw or undercooked fiddleheads can cause nausea and diarrhoea; the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets by the ASPCA.
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 Ostrich fern
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Ostrich fern in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (10 plants)
Questions about Ostrich fern
- How far apart should I plant Ostrich fern?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Ostrich fern need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ostrich fern need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Ostrich fern?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- Is Ostrich fern poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people mildly toxic. Raw or undercooked fiddleheads can cause nausea and diarrhoea; the plant is listed as non-toxic to pets by the ASPCA.
- What grows well with Ostrich fern?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ostrich fern. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Ferns do not flower; flowering values are placeholders. Spreads by underground stolons.
- Only this species is the commonly harvested fiddlehead; harvest sparingly and cook well.
- Fronds scorch in dry, hot summers.
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
- 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
- Lungwort (pulmonaria) Pulmonaria officinalis
- Mexican fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus