Photo: Michael J. PapayCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Christmas Fern Plant Care
Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly denominated Christmas fern, is a perennial, evergreen fern native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas. It is one of the most common ferns in eastern North America, being found in moist and shady habitats in woodlands, stream banks and rocky slopes.
Every 7–14 days
Filtered light, partial shade
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Christmas Fern?
Water Christmas Fern every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it filtered light, 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. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Christmas Fern Native To?
What Is the Christmas Fern?
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family within the Polystichum genus. Christmas Fern is native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas. Christmas Fern is also known as Eastern Christmas Fern.
Christmas Fern displays a clumping fern growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Christmas Fern produces non-flowering.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Christmas Fern?
Polystichum acrostichoides 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 Christmas Fern Need?
Christmas Fern thrives in filtered light, partial shade. Avoid placing Christmas Fern in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Filtered light, partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Christmas Fern Prefer?
Polystichum acrostichoides grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Christmas 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 Christmas Fern?
Moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Christmas Fern to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Christmas Fern?
Feed Christmas 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 Christmas Fern?
Repot every 2-3 years. 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 Christmas Fern?
Christmas Fern can be propagated through division of rhizomes, spores. Similar propagation techniques also apply to western sword fern plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Christmas Fern Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
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 Christmas Fern?
Christmas Fern is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. 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 Christmas Fern Need?
Christmas Fern grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Christmas Fern is native to eastern North America, from Nova Scotia west to Minnesota and south to Florida and eastern Texas.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Christmas 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 Polystichum genus — compare its care with other Polystichum species on PlantoScan.
Polystichum is part of the Dryopteridaceae plant family — browse all Dryopteridaceae genera and species.
Christmas Fern is non-toxic to cats and dogs — see every other species on the pet-safe plants non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott, family Dryopteridaceae (first published in Gen. Fil. [Schott] ad t.9. 1834 ; & NPfl. 190) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Christmas Fern as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Michael J. Papay, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 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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