
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 Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 24 - 30 Inches |
Mature Spread: 30 - 36 Inches |
Spacing: 30 - 36 Inches |
Habit: Spreading |
Flower Color(s): None |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green, Yellow |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: N/A |
Container Role: |
Uses: Groundcovers, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
Brand: |
Common Name: Hay Scented Fern |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: DENNSTAEDTIA PUNCTILOBULA |
- SKU:
- 1231003958-pc
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

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
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: Idaho, 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!