Polystichum acrostichoides

RHS Plant Profile

Christmas fern

James Lawrence

Other common names

dagger fern

Ferns

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An evergreen fern with a branching rhizome producing clumps of leathery, narrowly-oblong fronds divided into pairs of narrow, mid to dark green leaflets

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Polystichum are mostly evergreen or semi-evergreen ferns, with short stout rhizomes and pinnately divided fronds in neat shuttlecock-like rosettes
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: E North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in moist but well-drained, cool, humus-rich soils in full or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by division or from spores

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged fronds in early spring

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free