Perennial fern
Lady Fern plant profile
Athyrium filix-femina
A perennial fern for shade.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Lady Fern
Lady fern is a deciduous shade fern that slowly forms non-aggressive clumps. NC State's recommended way to propagate it is by dividing clumps (spores can also be sown), so set out plants or divisions in spring as new growth resumes.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Lady Fern in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Shade
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 12 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 3a to 7bFind my hardiness zone
Next steps
Continue with Lady Fern
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Athyrium filix-femina (Lady Fern)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.