Ostrich Fern is a perennial grown for its blooms, which open in summer and return year after year. Notably, it shrugs off deer.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5-7
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Ostrich Fern on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether ostrich fern actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score ostrich fern against your land's real conditions.
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What Ostrich Fern is
Ostrich Fern grows as a perennial and reaches around five feet at maturity. It blooms in summer. It's also deer-resistant.
How to grow Ostrich Fern
Ostrich Fern does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 7, on consistently moist ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
5 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant ostrich fern in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Ostrich Fern prefers pH 5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Cut ostrich fern blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — ostrich fern isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Ostrich Fern isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Ostrich Fern thrives
Whether ostrich fern thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Ostrich Fern will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether ostrich fern actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Ostrich Fern in my zone?
Zone data for ostrich fern is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Ostrich Fern?
Most growers plant ostrich fern after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Ostrich Fern need?
Ostrich Fern is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Ostrich Fern need?
Ostrich Fern prefers soil pH 5 to 7, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Ostrich Fern attract pollinators?
Ostrich Fern isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Ostrich Fern safe for pets?
Ostrich Fern is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.