Matteuccia struthiopteris
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking lush, woodland-inspired foliage.
Discover the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), a highly popular and graceful hardy fern celebrated for its tall, arching fronds that can reach up to 5 feet. This plant establishes a lovely canopy effect as it matures, spreading over time to form glorious colonies. It is exceptionally easy to grow, thriving in moist, rich, loamy soil and tolerating a range of light conditions from full sun to partial shade. Native to northern climates, this fern offers extra hardiness and performs better with age, making it an elegant addition to woodland settings or containers.
$14.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1072
/ 2693
#1072 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-66%
Below average
SKU
48442
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a sophisticated, structural focal point
- Homeowners with challenging, low-light, or damp garden areas
- Landscapers needing fast-growing, naturalized ground cover
Who should skip it
- Owners of small gardens with limited planting space
- Gardeners in regions prone to hot, dry summers
- People prioritizing year-round greenery in their landscape
Performance breakdown
Hardiness Range
Thrives across a broad spectrum of northern climate zones.
Growth Habit
Spreads reliably to create lush, architectural colonies over time.
Maintenance Effort
Exceptionally low-touch once established in moist, rich soil.
Light Adaptability
Versatile enough to handle everything from full sun to shade.
Visual Impact
Dramatic five-foot fronds provide an elegant, cooling canopy effect.
Establishment Speed
Requires patience as the plant matures to reach full stature.
Key Specs
SKU
48442
Genus
Matteuccia
Species
struthiopteris
Item Form
1-Quart
Mature Height
60 in
Mature Width
36 in
Hardiness Zones
2 - 7
Foliage Color
Medium Green
Features
- Graceful, tall arching fronds
- Forms beautiful colonies
- Easy to grow and maintain
- Tolerates sun to partial shade
- Hardy and improves with age
- Adds cooling effect to landscape
- Suitable for borders and containers
- Provides foliage interest
What customers say
Consumers consistently praise the exceptional quality of the Ostrich Ferns upon arrival. Reviewers frequently highlight the robust root systems and the plant’s impressive reliability, noting how easily it establishes and thrives even in challenging shade conditions. This ease of use makes it a favorite for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking a dependable, lush groundcover. The rapid, vigorous growth confirms its strong value proposition.
Know before you buy
To allow for their natural spreading habit, space your Ostrich Ferns about 3 feet apart. This gives them enough room to eventually fill in and create a dense, lush colony.
Yes, the Ostrich Fern is exceptionally hardy and thrives in zones 2 through 7. It is native to northern climates and is well-adapted to withstand harsh winter temperatures.
Absolutely. While they are excellent for woodland borders, they perform well in containers as long as you keep the soil consistently moist and provide a sufficiently large pot to accommodate their mature size.
While it can tolerate a range of light conditions, it performs best in partial shade. If you plant it in full sun, you must ensure the soil remains consistently moist, as the fronds can scorch if the ground dries out.
Under ideal conditions with rich, moist soil, you can expect this fern to reach a mature height of approximately 60 inches, or 5 feet. It is a vigorous grower that creates a dramatic, tall canopy effect.
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$15