There are around 150 different types of male fern (Dryopteris), some of which are very suitable for partially shaded to shaded areas of the garden. The beautiful foliage plants are perfect for planting under trees or for greening the edges of ponds. What should you look out for when buying a male fern? And what is important in planting and care? We answer these and other questions in this guide.

Male fern is a beautiful garden plant

Our recommendations

our recommendation
Real or Native Male Male Fern 'Mexica', Dryopteris filix-mas - hardy, in pot 12 cm, gardener quality from Blumen Eber - 12 cm
3.99 EUR To the product
kind Male Fern 'Mexica'
Latin name Dryopteris filix-mas
size 60 centimeters high
hardiness Yes

The male fern is a native species of fern and widespread in Central Europe. In fact, it is the most common domestic male fern species. In nature, Dryopteris filix-mas is mainly found in pine and beech forests, but it also grows on scree slopes and in mountains at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. The male fern is quite adaptable and therefore well suited for garden planting. Its deciduous fronds grow up to 120 meters high, turn brown in winter and sprout again and again in spring. The species grows as a funnel-shaped rosette and has bipinnate leaves.

our recommendation
Red veil fern - Dryopteris erythrosora - hardy, winter green, fern 12 cm pot as a container plant, balcony plant, shade plant, bedding plant
EUR 8.95 To the product
kind red veil fern
Latin name Dryopteris erythrosora
size 50 to 80 centimeters
hardiness Yes

The red veil fern, which comes from East Asia, gets its name from the beautiful copper-red coloring of young shoots, later the fronds turn a strong dark green. Since there are often several leaf shoots per year, the species offers a beautiful play of colors in shady garden areas and is very well suited as a companion to clematis or various spring flowers. The robust and easy-care species is also very suitable for underplanting trees and other shrubs. The shade-tolerant and hardy red veil fern grows as a funnel-shaped rosette with evergreen fronds up to 60 centimeters high. The fine leaves are doubly pinnate and have reddish clusters of spores on the underside.
our recommendation

10 x Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Congesta' (Ornamental Grass/Fern) Curled Goldscale Fern
EUR 41.90 To the product

kind Curled Goldscale Fern
Latin name Dryopteris affinis 'Crispa Congesta'
size about 20 centimeters
hardiness Yes

The gold scaly fern is also a native species, which can therefore be cultivated in a suitable location in the garden without any problems. The densely feathered and very upright growing fronds, which can grow up to 100 centimeters high, are characteristic. They keep their beautiful dark green color for a long time in winter, and when they shoot out again in spring, the stalks are covered with golden-brown chaff scales. These have given the goldscale fern its name. This offer is not about the wild form, but about the breeding 'Crispa Congesta'. Characteristics are the strongly wavy fronds. It is best to plant the variety in small groups in a semi-shady to shady place in humus-rich soil.

Purchase Criteria

purpose of use

Many male ferns, especially the native species, are perfect for planting in shady areas of the garden with fresh to moist, ideally neutral to acidic soil. Male ferns can therefore be used very well for planting under trees and other shrubs, for planting at the edge of trees or at the edge of a pond. The plants also thrive well in shady perennial beds or areas shaded by walls or house walls. Depending on the species, the plants can also be used to green rock gardens or tree pits. Only a sunny location does not tolerate the plants.

plant type and appearance

There are around 150 different species of male fern, varying in size, appearance and use. Typical is the funnel-shaped rosette growth and the up to 100 centimeters long, double to quadruple pinnate fronds. Depending on the type and variety, these differ in length, width and colouring. Some worm farms develop a rich coloration, such as the red veil fern, while others remain green. However, all species are purely decorative leaf plants, since ferns develop neither flowers nor fruits - they reproduce via spores and rhizomes.

frost hardiness

If you want to plant the male fern in the garden, it should definitely be hardy. This applies to the vast majority of species, especially the native species or male ferns, which are at home in the mountainous regions of the northern hemisphere. Therefore, winter protection is usually not necessary, not even for young specimens. Much more important than winter hardiness, however, is that these ferns must not dry out - they need constantly fresh to moist soil.

leaves

Most male ferns are deciduous; H. their fronds turn brown in autumn or early winter. Only in spring does the fresh green new shoot appear. Some species are considered semi-evergreen or semi-evergreen, meaning they retain their green foliage color a little longer. But these fronds also turn brown at some point during the winter, so that green new shoots can take place from the rhizomes in spring. However, there are no evergreen male fern species suitable for the garden.

size of the plant

When buying, also make sure whether you are actually getting plants or just seeds. Sometimes, for the price of a large male fern, all that's offered is a few seeds, from which you'll have to grow the plants you want yourself. As a rule, this makes little sense, since you have less trouble with ready-made ferns and there is no guarantee that the seeds will actually germinate. Instead, buy a few larger ferns and plant them in the garden: they will multiply all by themselves in no time at all.

frequently asked Questions

Which location is ideal for male ferns?

Male ferns are distinct forest plants that are often found in mixed forests with beech and pine. In the garden you should offer similar site conditions, which is why the plants should be in the sun or in the shade under trees. The soil is optimally fresh to moist, low in lime, rich in humus and neutral to acidic. Male fern, like most ferns, does not tolerate sun or drought.

Can I also keep male fern as a houseplant?

In principle, you can also keep male ferns in pots or troughs, for example on the balcony or terrace, provided the site conditions are right. However, other species are much better suited as room ferns, such as sword, horn or striped ferns. These are available in a wide range of species and varieties.

Is Male Fern Poisonous?

In the past, the roots of the male fern were used against worm infestation, which is why the species also bears this name. However, you shouldn't try this on yourself or your pets these days, as all parts of the plant are poisonous. Use the male fern as a pure ornamental plant, there are now safe medicines.

When is the best time to plant male ferns?

Spring is the best time to plant male ferns, but you can still plant them in the ground in autumn. When planting, add some compost to the soil as a starter fertilizer and do not completely cover the rhizomes with soil. They should stick out about halfway. Since most male ferns can also become quite wide, a planting distance of about 70 centimeters should be maintained.

How do I properly care for the male fern?

Once planted, the male fern is very easy to care for. In summer and in dry periods, make sure that the soil does not dry out. In spring, you should also work some compost into the soil to start with and clean out the brown fronds. If the plant is too big, you can also divide it in spring. However, this is not absolutely necessary.

equipment

Soil for room fern

our recommendation
COMPO SANA green plant and palm soil with 12-week fertilizer for all indoor and balcony plants as well as palm trees and ferns, growing medium, 10 litres
6.49 EUR To the product

If ferns are cultivated as houseplants, they need a loose and nutrient-rich soil. This must be able to store water well, but must not promote waterlogging. A high-quality green plant and palm soil is ideal for indoor ferns, which you can mix with expanded clay (€19.73) for drainage. You should repot young room ferns into fresh substrate about every one to two years.

Fertilizer for indoor fern

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In order for the indoor fern to grow healthily, it needs the right mix of nutrients. However, be economical when fertilizing: It is sufficient to supply the fern with green plant and palm fertilizer once a month between April and October. Instead of liquid fertiliser, you can also use fertilizer sticks (€4.48) with a long-term effect. Garden ferns are not fertilized, they only get some compost when they are planted.

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