Plant field guide
Ostrich Fern
Majestic tall fern with graceful vase-shaped fronds resembling ostrich plumes. The source of edible fiddleheads in spring. Creates dramatic architectural presence in shade gardens and along stream banks.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- high
- Height
- 36 in (91 cm) – 72 in (183 cm)
- Spread
- 36 in (91 cm) – 60 in (152 cm)
- Spacing
- 36 in (91 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–7; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March, November.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Spreads vigorously by runners in moist soil. Edible fiddleheads are a spring delicacy - harvest no more than half per crown. Needs consistent moisture. Goes dormant by late summer in hot climates.
Pruning
Remove dead fronds in late fall or early spring. Do not remove fertile brown fronds until spring as they provide winter interest.
Fertilizer
Balanced organic fertilizer
Early spring
Mulch
2-3 inches of leaf mold. Keep soil consistently moist.