New York Fern
Thelypteris noveboracensis
Last reviewed: August 2026
New York Fern is a deciduous woodland fern that spreads by rhizomes to form loose colonies in part shade to shade with medium to moist soil.
Toxicity unknown
New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) 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.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag New York Fern as toxic to livestock.
Light
part shade
Water
medium
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, DE and 23 more states
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This native deciduous fern forms attractive colonies through underground rhizomes. It has delicate, bright green fronds that create a soft, feathery texture in shaded garden areas and turns golden-brown in fall before going dormant.
Growing New York Fern
Grow New York 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
New York Fern is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- Goes completely dormant in winter leaving bare ground
- Can spread aggressively and may need containment
Wildlife value
Ferns don't attract pollinators since they don't flower, but this fern provides shelter and nesting sites for small wildlife and birds.
Common questions
- Does New York Fern produce flowers?
- No. New York Fern is a fern, so it reproduces by spores released from its fronds rather than by flowering.
- What light does New York Fern need?
- It grows best in part shade to full shade, though it can also handle a few hours of part sun in cooler climates.
- How much water does New York Fern require?
- It prefers consistently moist, medium to wet soil and does not tolerate prolonged drought well.
- Is New York Fern evergreen?
- No, its fronds die back to the ground in fall and new growth emerges again in spring.
- How does New York Fern spread in a garden or woodland setting?
- It spreads steadily by underground rhizomes, forming dense colonies that work well as a woodland groundcover.
- Is New York Fern toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag New York Fern as toxic to livestock.
- Is New York Fern HOA-friendly?
- New York Fern is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow New York Fern? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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