Polystichum acrostichoides
Best low-maintenance choice for gardeners seeking year-round greenery and erosion control.
Polystichum acrostichoides, commonly known as Christmas Fern, is a non-flowering, evergreen perennial that provides year-round visual appeal. Its name comes from its ability to remain green throughout the holiday season. In spring, it produces striking, long-lasting silvery, scaled fiddleheads that unfurl into leathery, dark green fronds. The plant exhibits an upright, clumping habit and is well-suited for mass planting, erosion control on slopes, and adding texture to mixed beds. It is also suitable for containers and acts as a specimen plant. This adaptable fern requires minimal maintenance.
$19.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
864
/ 3268
#864 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-28%
Below average
SKU
28928
Who it's for
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, deer-resistant shade plants
- Landscapers tackling difficult, dry, or shady woodland sites
- Gardeners seeking year-round greenery in winter landscapes
Who should skip it
- Beginners unable to provide consistent moisture during the first year
- Property owners needing rapid, aggressive groundcover for erosion control
- Impatient gardeners wanting immediate, full-grown landscape impact
Performance breakdown
Year-round appeal
Evergreen foliage maintains vibrant color through the coldest winter months.
Maintenance requirements
Requires minimal effort to thrive once established in the landscape.
Pest resistance
Reliably avoids damage from common garden visitors like deer and rabbits.
Erosion control
Robust root systems effectively stabilize soil on challenging sloped terrain.
Environmental adaptability
Thrives across a wide range of zones and diverse soil conditions.
Visual texture
Leathery fronds add sophisticated depth to mixed perennial garden beds.
Key Specs
SKU
28928
Genus
Polystichum
Species
acrostichoides
Variety
Christmas Fern
Item Form
Bareroot
Foliage Color
Medium Green
Habit
Upright
Hardiness Zones
3 - 9
Features
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round interest
- Silvery, scaled fiddleheads in spring
- Leathery, dark green fronds
- Upright, clumping growth habit
- Suitable for mass planting and erosion control
- Adaptable to various soil types
- Rabbit and deer resistant
- Native to North America
What customers say
Customers consistently highlight the superior quality of the Polystichum acrostichoides received from Wayside Gardens. Reviewers frequently mention the large, robust size and excellent root systems, ensuring the plants establish quickly. This fern proves highly reliable, maintaining its deep green color and structure even through winter, offering year round interest. Its hardiness and ease of care make it a favorite for shady, difficult garden spots, justifying the investment for a dependable, long lasting perennial.
Know before you buy
The name refers to its ability to remain evergreen throughout the winter months, keeping its deep green color even during the holiday season.
It is an excellent choice for erosion control. Its clumping, upright habit and sturdy root system help stabilize soil on slopes while providing a consistent, lush appearance.
No, the Christmas Fern is considered both deer and rabbit resistant, making it a reliable choice for gardens where wildlife pressure is a concern.
Bareroot plants arrive dormant without soil around the roots. Once planted in the spring, they will quickly establish themselves and begin producing their signature silvery, scaled fiddleheads.
It is a low-maintenance, adaptable plant. Once it is settled in your garden, it requires very little attention to thrive across its wide hardiness range of zones 3 through 9.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$20