Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Lady in Red Fern will have you singing to your shade garden enchanted by its beauty. Lady in Red Fern (Athyrium filix-forma) is grown for its quintessentially ferny foliage that will captivate you with uniquely red stems. This perennial foliage plant will be lush and brilliant green in your shade or part shade garden and can even be grown indoors as a houseplant!
Low-growing, shade and moisture loving, Lady in Red Fern is Native to North America. Use this plant in garden borders, to add foliage interest to containers, or add it to your indoor jungle as a potted houseplant. Lady in Red Fern is easy to grow and resistant to rabbits.
Lady in Red Fern Care
Choose a partial shade to fully shaded location with acidic to neutral soil, not overly rich or fertile soil. Lady in Red Fern is perennial from zone 3a to 8b. Deadheading is not needed and the plant requires little maintenance throughout the season. Water well until established.
Leave the foliage fronds to overwinter. Plants can be cleaned up in early spring to encourage new growth. Do not fertilize or do so very sparingly and keep the plant moist. If kept indoors as a houseplant, Lady in Red Fern will benefit from regular waterings and access to a humidifier.
Lady in Red Fern Spacing
This plant can reach 30 – 36 inches in height and will spread up to 24 inches. In mass plantings, plant up to 24 inches apart.
Lady in Red 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
- Full Shade to Part Shade (0-4 Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2.5-3 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- Bloom Time
- Grown for Foliage
- Foliage Color
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Semi-Evergreen, Herbaceous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Fall Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Lady in Red Fern
- Botanical Name
- Athyrium felix-forma 'Lady in Red'
- Brand
- Proven Selections
- 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!