Shade-loving ferns are a good solution for yards that don’t get much sunlight. And ferns are by no means only for tropical or warm climates. Among the hardy ferns, autumn fern stands out because of its eye-catching seasonal foliage. In the spring, the newly emerging papery fronds are a bright coppery-red to orange-red. This stunning fall-like color, which gives the fern its common name, persists for several weeks. As the season progresses, the color of the glossy fronds changes to an equally bright green.
Autumn fern does not spread much so it’s suitable for small spaces. It makes a good groundcover for shady borders and woodland gardens, but it can also be grown in containers and, because of its smaller size, even as a houseplant.
The filigree look of autumn fern foliage is deceiving—this is an easy-to-grow fern with low maintenance requirements, which makes it an ideal groundcover. It is not a fast grower though; it takes five years for autumn fern to slowly spread to its mature size of about 2 feet.
Whether you need to water an established autumn fern depends on the amount of precipitation in your location. Applying a generous layer of mulch on the other hand, is useful no matter where you live. It keeps the moisture in the soil during the summer and protects the plant from winter cold.
Autumn fern is relatively unbothered by wildlife. Rabbits and deer usually leave autumn fern alone.
Autumn fern needs to be planted in a shady location. Too much light is detrimental to its health and can sunburn it to the point of killing it.
The soil should be similar to conditions in the fern’s native woodland habitat in eastern Asia: acidic with a pH below 6.0, containing a high amount of organic matter, consistently moist but with good drainage.
Until it is established, during the first growing season, a newly planted autumn fern needs regular watering in the absence of rain. In climates with regular rainfall, watering is not necessary. In drier climates, or during dry spells or extended droughts, water the area around the plant slowly and deeply to keep the soil moist, ideally with a soaker hose.
Autumn fern can grow in a fairly wide climate range; it tolerates both freezing winter weather and does well in moderately warm summer temperatures and high humidity. However, it does not do well in hot or dry weather, and it is especially vulnerable to drying winds that parch the soil.
