Mountain Fern Plant Care
Dryopteris oreades Fomin
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dryopteris oreades, commonly known as the mountain male-fern, is a species of Dryopteris woodfern native to the British Isles, western Europe, and western Asia.
Every 7–14 days
Filtered sunlight or partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Fern?
Water Mountain 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 Mountain Fern Native To?
What Is the Mountain Fern?
Mountain Fern (Dryopteris oreades) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family within the Dryopteris genus. Mountain Fern is native to the British Isles, western Europe, and western Asia.
Mountain Fern displays a fern with spreading habit growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Mountain Fern produces non-flowering plant.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mountain Fern?
Dryopteris oreades 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 Mountain Fern Need?
Mountain Fern thrives in filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid placing Mountain 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 Mountain Fern Prefer?
Dryopteris oreades grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Mountain 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 Mountain Fern?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mountain Fern?
Feed Mountain 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 Mountain 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 Mountain Fern?
Mountain Fern can be propagated through spores, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to broad buckler fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mountain Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain 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 Mountain Fern?
Mountain 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 Mountain Fern Need?
Mountain Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Mountain Fern is native to the British Isles, western Europe, and western Asia. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Fern as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Mountain 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.
Mountain 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 oreades Fomin, family Dryopteridaceae (first published in Vĕstn. Tiflissk. Bot. Sada 18: 20. 1911) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Mountain Fern Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species