How to Grow and Care For Autumn Ferns

If you have a shade garden, you must grow a shade-loving plant like the autumn ferns. You may think the fern is made for tropical climates, but you’re mistaken 😄.

Among the most ferns, the autumn ferns are evergreen and the most hardy plant you can find. It stands out with beautiful seasonal foliage.

In spring, papery fronds emerge in a bright copper-red to orange-red. The fall-like color fills up the dark spot in the garden.

As seasons progress, the glossy fronds change to bright green, and these foliage plants do not spread. You can grow autumn fern indoors or in small spaces, making for a fabulous ground cover.

Plant Name: Dryopteris erythrosora 

Other Name: Autumn fern, Japanese shield fern, Japanese wood fern, copper shield fern

Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial

Native Areas: Asia

Light Requirement: Shade

Watering: Moderate

Fertilizer: All-purpose fertilizer

Toxicity: Non-toxic

Temperature: Cold to warm temperatures

Propagation: Division or spores

Growth: 18-24 inches tall and wide

Soil Type: Acidic, well-drained soil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9

More About Dryopteris Erythrosora

To grow autumn ferns, they are best placed in the USDA growing zones 5-9, and these plants originate from east Asia, mainly in China and Japan, to the Philippines.

These ferns grow well in woodland gardens and shady borders, and the Dryopteris erythrosora is a wood fern dating back to the Tyrannosaurus rex time.

The common name autumn fern comes from the Japanese shield fern, Japanese wood fern, and the copper shield fern.

The fern thrives in a humid environment standing in a shady spot, and adds interest for long periods year round with the gorgeous foliage.

Autumn Fern Care 

The autumn ferns have a deceiving filigree look, but it is easy to grow with low maintenance needs. It makes for ideal ground cover and is a fast grower that takes up to five years to spread to two feet.

To keep these ferns happy, add a layer of mulch to retain moisture and protect the roots. The best part is on a shady spot; it is not bothered much by wildlife.

Japanese Wood Fern Light Conditions

The best spot for Dryopteris erythrosora is in full shade without direct sunlight. When the plant receives too much light, it results in sunburn and can kill your plant. The shade helps with the deep green fronds.

Japanese Shield Fern Soil

For the autumn fern, you need to provide it with the same growing conditions as in the native woodland found in eastern Asia. Hence, it prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 6.0, filled with organic matter, and kept moist with good drainage.

Watering Autumn Fern

Compared to other ferns, autumn ferns need enough water during planting in the growing season to become established.

This hardy fern can withstand drought but not too much and will need regular watering during dry spells. You need not water the fern when rain is present.

During dry spells, water around the area to keep the soil moist, and at planting, keep the root ball at the same level as in the container.

Potted ferns need frequent watering and are best done at the base of the plant to prevent crown rot.

Temperature and Humidity

It can adapt to different climates for autumn fern care concerning temperature and humidity. It can tolerate freezing weather and does well in warm summers with high humidity.

But it will not survive hot 🔥 and dry weather like drying winds. In the growing zones 5 to 6, the foliage can die back in winter, but it bounces back in spring.

Fertilizing Autumn Ferns

The autumn fern planted in organic matter only needs feeding during the spring using a complete all-purpose fertilizer. For container plants, you will feed them more often, once a month, during the growing season.

Pruning Autumn Ferns

For autumn fern care and pruning, it does not need a trim, but when the old fronds wither in winter, please remember to leave them on the plant.

When the fronds die down in early spring for new growth, you can remove the old ones to give your plant a neat appearance. Still, be careful not to damage the new growth found at the crown.

Potting and Repotting Autumn Fern

You can grow autumn ferns in containers as a houseplant on your balcony or patio. Choose a clay or terracotta pot with enough drainage holes.

Provide a tall and wide structure to accommodate the entire root system. Ferns prefer rich soil and best combine an all-purpose potting mix with compost.

Water 💦 it well and keep your plant moist to prevent it from drying out. Once the plant becomes root bound, you can repot them, and the indication is developing smaller fronds.

Overwintering

When you plant your autumn fern in garden soil, it does not need any protection in winter. But potted plants need protection from winter chills and are best brought indoors.

You can place the container in a larger pot or box and fill up the space with an additional layer of mulch or use sand. Then wrap the sides of the pot with some bubble wrap or burlap.

Propagating Autumn Ferns

You can use the spores or division to grow autumn ferns, but the division is easier. You will need a mature-sized plant showing a bare center that is a sign it needs to be divided.

Dividing Autumn Fern

1. When you see new fronds emerging in early spring, you can dig up the plant and the whole root system using a shovel.

2. Then separate the roots into smaller sections using a pruner.

3. Ensure each segment has one growing tip with sprouts allowing new fronds to emerge.

4. Next, dig deeper than the roots and add some compost.

5. Backfill and press down on the soil and water well until established.

Growing Spores

A lengthier method is to use the spores you collect from the plant, but it can take up to 12 weeks to see results.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases 

Some pests are aphids, scale, and mealybugs, but they rarely affect the plant’s health. Neither is it prone to serious diseases, but it can get root rot from standing in water for very long, or crown rotting can happen with overhead watering.