Japanese painted fern vs Lady fern

Japanese painted fern and Lady fern are often considered for the same spot in the garden (ground cover). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Japanese painted fern

Athyrium niponicum 45 cm × 55 cm after 10 years

Japanese painted fern is a low, arching fern usually sold in its painted forms: the fronds are silvery grey with a green wash and burgundy midribs,…

Perennial

Part shade

Shade

from about €9

Lady fern

Athyrium filix-femina 90 cm × 75 cm after 10 years

A deciduous fern with lacy, light green fronds that form a shuttlecock-shaped clump, good for filling shady, moist spots under trees and shrubs.…

Perennial

Part shade

Shade

from about €8

Key differences

Lady fern grows larger: 90 cm × 75 cm after ten years, against 45 cm × 55 cm for Japanese painted fern.
Lady fern needs less water than Japanese painted fern.

Which one to choose?

Japanese painted fern is the better choice if space is tight.

Lady fern is the better choice if you cannot water regularly.

Watch out for

Japanese painted fern

It has no serious pests or diseases. In Central Europe the hot, dry summer is its weak point: the fronds brown in sun and in soil that dries out, and the colour fades to green in the heat, so plant it in shade, mulch it and water it in drought.

Lady fern

No serious pests or diseases. In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the fronds brown and look tattered by midsummer unless watered, and they break easily in windy spots.

The data side by side

Feature	Japanese painted fern	Lady fern
Group	Perennial	Perennial
Size after 10 years	45 cm × 55 cm	90 cm × 75 cm
Ultimate size	30–60 cm × 45–60 cm	0.6–1.2 m × 0.3–1 m
Growth rate	Slow	Medium (uncertain)
Light	Part shade, Shade	Part shade, Shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic (uncertain)	Average garden soil, Acidic
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Low
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Water need	High	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low	Low
Maintenance	Low	Low
Planting distance	40 cm	50 cm
For dogs	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	no data	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	about €9 (< 40 cm)	approx. €8

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 17, 2026

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