Sensitive Fern plant profile
Onoclea sensibilis
A perennial fern for partial sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Sensitive Fern
Sensitive fern is a deciduous fern of moist to wet ground that spreads by creeping rhizomes; its fertile bead-like fronds emerge in late summer and persist into winter. It is named for being killed back by the first mild frost. Set out plants in spring; NC State's recommended propagation is root cutting.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Sensitive Fern in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Partial sun
- Soil pH
- 4.5 to 6
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 6 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 2a to 10bFind my hardiness zone
Next steps
Continue with Sensitive Fern
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive Fern)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.