Ostrich Ferns

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is the most dramatic native fern in the American landscape — a bold, vase-shaped perennial that sends up 4–5-foot arching fronds each spring, creating an instant tropical effect in shaded, moist garden spaces. It spreads steadily by underground stolons to form sweeping colonies that fill rain garden edges, stream banks, and woodland borders with lush, deep-green texture. An added bonus: the spring fiddleheads are a prized edible delicacy. Hardy in zones 2–8.

Best for: Shaded borders, rain gardens, stream and pond edges, woodland plantings, erosion control on moist slopes, and bold texture in large shade garden designs.

Why Gardeners Choose Ostrich Ferns

• Dramatic, large-scale presence: Arching fronds reach 4–5 feet tall, creating a bold, lush tropical effect that few other shade perennials can match. Makes an immediate statement in the first season.
• Thrives in wet and moist sites: One of the best choices for consistently moist or periodically wet areas — stream banks, rain garden edges, low spots, and areas where standing water is an occasional reality.
• Edible fiddleheads: Spring fiddleheads — the tightly coiled emerging fronds — are a sought-after culinary delicacy with a flavor similar to asparagus. A functional and ornamental plant in one.
• Fast-spreading colonies: Spreads vigorously by underground stolons to fill large shaded areas quickly — ideal for naturalistic mass plantings where rapid coverage is the goal.
• Deer resistant: Not a preferred browse plant, making it reliable in gardens with deer pressure.
• Native plant: North American native with strong ecological value — supports native wildlife, improves soil health, and fits naturally into woodland and rain garden designs.

Planting & Care

• Light: Partial shade to full shade. Best performance in dappled or filtered light. Can tolerate more sun in consistently moist soil, but fronds may scorch in intense afternoon sun.
• Soil: Prefers humus-rich, consistently moist to wet soil. Tolerates periodic flooding. Not suited to dry or well-drained sites — consistent moisture is the key requirement.
• Growth rate: Fast — spreads vigorously by stolons to form expanding colonies. Each plant can spread 2–3 feet per season under ideal conditions.
• Mature size: 4–5 feet tall; spreads indefinitely by underground stolons — best planted where it can expand freely or where spread can be managed.
• Spacing: 24–36 inches apart for naturalistic mass plantings; colonies will fill in and merge over 2–3 seasons.
• Watering: Keep consistently moist, especially during establishment and in summer heat. Does not tolerate drought — water deeply during dry spells to prevent frond browning.
• Feeding: Top-dress with compost in early spring. Light balanced fertilizer beneficial in poor soils but not required in rich, humus-rich soil.
• Pruning: Remove browned or winter-damaged fronds in early spring before new fiddleheads emerge. Fertile fronds (the shorter, brown, spore-bearing fronds) can be left through winter for winter interest and wildlife habitat.

Best Uses

• Shaded borders and woodland garden mass plantings
• Rain garden edges and bioswale plantings
• Stream banks, pond edges, and moist low spots
• Erosion control on shaded, moist slopes
• Bold texture contrast in mixed shade perennial plantings
• Native plant and wildlife habitat gardens
• Edible and ornamental garden designs

Grows Best In

• USDA Zones: 2–8
• Climate notes: Exceptionally cold-hardy — one of the most winter-hardy large ferns available, performing reliably from Minnesota to the Gulf Coast. Thrives in cool, humid woodland conditions and tolerates temperature extremes well. Not suited for hot, arid, or dry climates outside of its zone range. Performance declines significantly without consistent moisture.

Problem Solved

Ostrich Fern is the solution for the wet, shaded problem areas that most gardeners don’t know what to do with — the low spots that stay soggy after rain, the north-facing slopes that dry conventional groundcovers can’t handle, and the deep shade under mature trees where nothing seems to thrive. It fills those spaces with bold, lush presence that requires almost no maintenance once established in the right conditions.

It’s also the right choice for gardeners building naturalistic rain gardens or stream-edge plantings who need a native, large-scale plant that handles periodic flooding without complaint. For a fragrant, low-growing companion that thrives in the same cool, moist shade conditions, underplant with Sweet Woodruff — its delicate white spring flowers and vanilla fragrance layer beautifully beneath the Ostrich Fern canopy.

Pro Tip

Plant Ostrich Ferns where they have room to roam — they spread assertively and are difficult to contain once established. In smaller gardens, plant in a bottomless container sunk into the ground to restrict stolon spread, or use raised beds with solid walls. In large shaded areas, plant freely and let the colony develop naturally — a mature Ostrich Fern colony is one of the most impressive sights in a shade garden. For striking color contrast in the same moist shade setting, mix in Godzilla Japanese Painted Fern — its silver and burgundy variegated fronds create a dramatic contrast against Ostrich Fern’s deep, uniform green.

Harvesting Fiddleheads

Harvest fiddleheads in early spring when the coiled fronds have emerged 2–4 inches from the ground and the papery brown covering is still intact. Snap or cut cleanly at the base. Harvest no more than one-third of the fiddleheads from any one plant to preserve the plant’s energy. Always cook fiddleheads thoroughly before eating — blanch or steam for 10–15 minutes. Do not eat raw.

Shipping Information

• Ships as container-grown plants — available in pint or quart-size pots.
• Ships to all 48 contiguous states.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall do Ostrich Ferns get?
Sterile fronds (the large, arching display fronds) typically reach 4–5 feet tall. Fertile fronds (shorter, brown, spore-bearing) emerge in midsummer at 18–24 inches.

Will it grow in standing water?
It tolerates periodic flooding but prefers consistently moist rather than permanently waterlogged soil. Ideal for rain gardens where water drains within 24–48 hours.

How fast does it spread?
Fast — it spreads by underground stolons and can expand 2–3 feet per season in ideal conditions. Plant where spread is welcome or use barriers to control it.

Can I eat the fiddleheads?
Yes — Ostrich Fern fiddleheads are a prized spring vegetable. Always cook thoroughly before eating. Harvest in early spring before fronds fully unfurl.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes — Ostrich Fern is generally not browsed by deer, making it a reliable shade perennial in areas with deer pressure.

Will it grow in dry shade?
No — consistent moisture is the non-negotiable requirement for Ostrich Fern. In dry shade, fronds will brown and the plant will decline. Choose a reliably moist site.

Related Collections

• Ferns
• Shade Plants
• Plants for Wet Areas
• Plants for Under Trees
• Erosion Control Plants
• Deer Resistant Perennials