Photo: Mary E. MacaulayCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Broad Buckler Fern Plant Care
Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm.) A.Gray
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's most distinctive visual feature is its elegant, lance-shaped fronds that emerge in a striking shade of bright green. Originating from Europe and Asia, Dryopteris dilatata is highly coveted by plant collectors for its ability to thrive in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile and low-maintenance addition to any garden.
Every 7–14 days
Filtered sunlight or partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Broad Buckler Fern?
Water Broad Buckler Fern every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered sunlight or partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Broad Buckler Fern Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Broad Buckler Fern?
Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris dilatata) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family within the Dryopteris genus. Broad Buckler Fern is native to Europe, particularly western and central Europe. Broad Buckler Fern is also known as Broadleaf Buckler Fern, Pinnate Buckler Fern.
Broad Buckler Fern displays a fern with spreading habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Broad Buckler Fern produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Broad Buckler Fern?
Dryopteris dilatata requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Broad Buckler Fern Need?
Broad Buckler Fern thrives in filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid placing Broad Buckler Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered sunlight or partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Broad Buckler Fern Prefer?
Dryopteris dilatata grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Broad Buckler Fern prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Broad Buckler Fern?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Broad Buckler Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Broad Buckler Fern?
Feed Broad Buckler Fern every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Broad Buckler Fern?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Broad Buckler Fern?
Broad Buckler Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to autumn fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Broad Buckler Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Broad Buckler Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Broad Buckler Fern?
Broad Buckler Fern is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Broad Buckler Fern Need?
Broad Buckler Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Broad Buckler Fern is native to Europe, particularly western and central Europe.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 4a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Broad Buckler Fern is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Dryopteris genus — compare its care with other Dryopteris species on PlantoScan.
Dryopteris is part of the Dryopteridaceae plant family — browse all Dryopteridaceae genera and species.
Broad Buckler Fern produces blooms — browse other flowering plants.
More Dryopteris Species
Other Dryopteris species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dryopteris dilatata (Hoffm.) A.Gray, family Dryopteridaceae (first published in Manual (Gray) 631. 1848 [10 Feb 1848]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Broad Buckler Fern, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Mary E. Macaulay, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 4a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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