How much sun does Male fern need?

Male fern grows best in part shade conditions.

Where is Male fern native?

Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Male fern

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Dryopteris filix-mas

Last reviewed: November 2026

Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is a perennial fern native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 19 more states.

Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Male fern, free in the app.

Toxicity unknown

Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

18"–36" H × 18"–30" W

Bloom

N/A

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, ID and 19 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 464 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Puget Lowland Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Southern Rockies Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts High Plains Southwestern Tablelands Northern Lakes and Forests Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Ridge and Valley Madrean Archipelago Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

A clump-forming fern with arching, finely divided fronds that emerge from a central crown. It grows in shaded woodlands and rocky slopes, staying tidy and vase-shaped through the growing season.

Growing Male fern

Grow Male fern in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 18 to 30 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Provides cover for small woodland creatures and contributes leaf litter habitat for beneficial insects, though it offers no nectar or pollen.

Common questions

How much sun does Male fern need?: Male fern grows best in part shade conditions.
Where is Male fern native?: Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is native to AZ, CA, CO, ID and 19 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Male fern? Add it to your garden in the Pollinator Patch App to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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