Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Last reviewed: June 2026
Christmas Fern is an evergreen native fern found throughout eastern North America from Maine to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas. This hardy woodland fern thrives in shaded areas and provides year-round green foliage.
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 30 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Christmas fern is a classic evergreen native fern that forms neat, arching clumps of dark green fronds. It stays attractive year-round and thrives in shaded areas where many other plants struggle. This reliable perennial requires minimal care once established.
Growing Christmas Fern
Grow Christmas Fern in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Christmas Fern is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
Wildlife value
Christmas fern provides shelter and nesting material for small wildlife and birds. The evergreen fronds offer year-round habitat structure in shaded woodland gardens.
Common questions
- Why is Polystichum acrostichoides called Christmas Fern?
- Christmas Fern gets its common name because it remains green throughout winter, providing evergreen color during the Christmas season when most other ferns have died back.
- Where does Christmas Fern naturally grow?
- Christmas Fern is native to eastern North America, ranging from southeastern Canada south to Florida and west to Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and eastern Texas.
- What growing conditions does Christmas Fern prefer?
- Christmas Fern thrives in partial to full shade with moist, well-draining soil. It tolerates a range of moisture conditions once established and is adaptable to various soil types including rocky woodland soils.
- Does Christmas Fern produce flowers?
- Christmas Fern does not produce flowers or bloom. As a fern, it reproduces through spores produced on the undersides of fertile fronds, typically appearing in late summer.
- Is Christmas Fern toxic to dogs?
- Christmas Fern is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Christmas Fern toxic to cats?
- Christmas Fern is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- Is Christmas Fern HOA-friendly?
- Christmas Fern is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Ready to grow Christmas Fern? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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