Cinnamon fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Last reviewed: July 2026
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum is a native deciduous fern found throughout eastern North America from Maine to Florida and west to Minnesota and Texas. This moisture-loving fern thrives in partial shade to shade conditions.
Light
part shade
Water
high
Size
24"–60" H × 24"–36" W
Bloom
N/A
Native to
AL, AR, CT, FL and 24 more states
Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large, elegant clumping fern that unfurls a vase-shaped rosette of tall, arching sterile fronds around a central cluster of showy cinnamon-brown fertile fronds in spring. The bright green foliage turns golden in autumn before dying back. Its bold, formal silhouette suits shaded, consistently moist beds and the edges of water features.
In an HOA neighborhood
Cinnamon fern is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, mid zone.
- needs consistently moist soil and shade to look its best
Wildlife value
The dense fronds provide cover for amphibians and small wildlife, and the fibrous crowns offer nesting material for birds.
Common questions
- Where does Cinnamon Fern naturally grow?
- Cinnamon Fern is native to much of eastern North America, ranging from Maine south to Florida and west to Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- What growing conditions does Osmundastrum cinnamomeum prefer?
- Cinnamon Fern grows best in consistently moist to wet soils and partial shade to full shade conditions. It naturally occurs in swamps, wet woods, and along stream banks.
- Does Cinnamon Fern produce flowers?
- No, as a fern, Osmundastrum cinnamomeum does not produce flowers or bloom. Instead, it reproduces via spores produced on specialized fertile fronds that appear cinnamon-colored in spring.
- Is Cinnamon Fern deciduous or evergreen?
- Cinnamon Fern is deciduous, meaning its fronds die back to the ground each winter and emerge fresh each spring.
- Is Cinnamon fern HOA-friendly?
- Cinnamon 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 Cinnamon fern? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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