How big does Male fern grow?

About 1 m × 90 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.6–1.2 m × 0.6–1 m.

What soil does Male fern grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous, acidic.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How much water does Male fern need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Male fern

Dryopteris filix-mas

Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is a perennial that reaches 1 m × 90 cm after ten years. Light: part shade, shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €8.

Illustration of Male fern — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A large, shuttlecock-shaped woodland fern that also grows wild in the region, and one of the least demanding ferns for shade and part shade. Use it under trees and shrubs or by a north wall; it looks best in moist, humus-rich soil but puts up with drier shade once established. The fronds die back for winter and are cut off in spring; the rhizome is poisonous.

Watch out for

In the hot, dry summers of Central Europe the fronds brown and die back early in sun or in soil that dries out, so plant it in shade, mulch it and water it in the first years. Strong wind snaps the fronds, so give it a sheltered spot.

Key facts

Light: Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1 m × 90 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

Group	Perennial
Light	Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	1 m × 90 cm
Ultimate size	0.6–1.2 m × 0.6–1 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	no data
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	60 cm
For dogs	Toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Toxic (uncertain)
For children	Toxic
Typical price	from about €8

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €8

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

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