Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The Hay Scented Fern or Dennstaedtia punctilobula may look delicate, but this hardy fern is a landscape workhorse. Large feathery fronds have a central midrib with alternating pinna. The foliage is a yellow-green hue, giving it a distinct look. This fern is aggressive, so plant it in an area where it can overtake and avoid planting with less assertive plants.
Feature this stunner as a groundcover or use in a woodland-inspired garden. This fern is deciduous and earns its name because it smells like freshly mowed hay if crushed. This plant grows from rhizomes, which spread out under the ground, so it will quickly fill in an area all on its own. This lush beauty is native to the eastern U.S. and grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 8. The fronds repel deer, so feature this plant along a property line or near a garden to discourage deer from dropping by.
Hay Scented Fern Care
This shade-loving fern needs full to partial shade, so choose a spot that receives no more than 4 hours of sunlight. Plant in moist, well-drained soil that is acidic and water when the soil starts to dry out.
Feed the plant using a fish emulsion fertilizer if the fronds look washed out or pale. Remove dead or damaged growth as needed. All of the greenery will die back after the first frost. Thin the plants out as needed by removing dense growth.
Hay Scented Fern Spacing
The Hay Scented Fern will grow 24 to 30 inches tall and 30 to 36 inches wide. Space plants at least 18 inches apart, although if you give the plants more room, these ferns will fill that area in no time.
Hay Scented Fern Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 3 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Shade to Part Sun (3-6 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-3 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Spreading
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Foliage Color
- , Green, Yellow
- Foliage Description
- Green, Yellow
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Hay Scented Fern
- Botanical Name
- DENNSTAEDTIA PUNCTILOBULA
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!