Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Japanese Painted Fern, or Athyrium nipponicum var. Pictum, is a deciduous, woodland perennial, known for its array of tuft-shaped, shimmering, silvery-purple fronds with striking, reddish midribs. True to its name, this classic fern appears to have been carefully painted with shades of green, red, and silver. One of the most popular cultivated ferns, the Japanese Painted Fern grows from 12 to 18 inches tall at maturity, with a weeping spread of 18 to 24 inches.
Perennial Plant Association plant of the Year in 2004, and winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, the Japanese Painted Fern has an arching, clump-forming habit. It is slow-growing, taking its time to stretch its triangular, variegated fronds. Deer will avoid this beautiful fern, but it is not rabbit resistant. Use the Japanese Painted Fern to spruce up a shady corner or alcove.
Japanese Painted Fern Care
Japanese Painted Fern prefers moist soil with heavy organic matter, but can tolerate poorer soils as well. The soil should be well-drained to avoid root rot and various fungus and diseases. It grows best in full to partial shade but can tolerate more sunlight if the climate is cooler and the sun won’t burn its delicate fronds. To propagate your Japanese Painted fern, divide in early spring. Your fern will not require much pruning, but you can trim away broken and dead fronds without concern.
Japanese Painted Fern Spacing
Japanese Painted Fern is a unique, eye-catching option for any woodland landscape. They are ideal for containers and can thrive in a variety of pots. When planting, space your Japanese Painted Ferns approximately 12 inches apart from center to center. These unique and stunning ferns pair well with Tiarella, Heuchera and Hostas.
Japanese Painted 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
- 1 Foot
- Mature Spread
- 1-2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Green, Silver-Purple
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Japanese Painted Fern
- Botanical Name
- ATHYRIUM NIPPONICUM 'PICTUM'
- 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
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, 2026 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.
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!