Hay-scented fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
A deciduous fern featuring delicate, finely divided yellowish-green fronds that taper toward both ends, growing in dense colonies.
- Light
- Partial shade to full shade, approximately 3 to 6 hours of indirect light per day
- Water
- High moisture requirements; water deeply when the top inch of soil begins to dry, avoiding prolonged drought
- Growth
- Perennial fern with an upright to arching growth habit, spreading rapidly via underground rhizomes to form colonies, reaching 1 to 3 feet in height with a wide spread
Care instructions
Provide partial shade to full shade with consistently moist, well-draining, acidic soil. Water regularly during dry spells to maintain moisture levels.
Growing details
Sunlight
Partial shade to full shade, approximately 3 to 6 hours of indirect light per day
Watering
High moisture requirements; water deeply when the top inch of soil begins to dry, avoiding prolonged drought
Soil
Rich, organic, well-draining soil with an acidic pH ranging from 4.5 to 6.0
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial fern with an upright to arching growth habit, spreading rapidly via underground rhizomes to form colonies, reaching 1 to 3 feet in height with a wide spread
Bloom season
Non-flowering
Propagation
Propagated by division of established rhizome clumps in spring or via spores collected from mature fronds
Common pests & issues
Generally resistant to serious pests and diseases, though occasionally affected by slugs or fungal leaf spots in overly wet or poorly ventilated conditions
Similar species
New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), which features fronds that taper more noticeably at both the base and the tip compared to the hay-scented fern