Hay-scent Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states
Hay-scent fern forms attractive colonies of delicate, lacy fronds. It releases a pleasant hay-like fragrance when brushed against and turns golden yellow in fall before dying back for winter.
In an HOA neighborhood
Hay-scent Fern takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Spreads aggressively by underground rhizomes
- Can look messy and informal
- Dies back completely in winter leaving bare patches
Wildlife value
As a fern, it does not attract pollinators but provides shelter and nesting material for small wildlife. The dense colonies offer good ground cover habitat for amphibians and insects.
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.
Does Hay-scent Fern fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.