Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The New York Fern, or Thelypteris noveboracensis, is a lush plant that is easy to grow. Soft fronds are a bold yellowish-green hue. The fronds are broad near the bottom and gently narrow to a point. Each pinnae or leaflet is spaced apart, allowing the detail of the foliage to stand out. The large fronds measure 24 inches long and 4 inches wide, ensuring the New York Fern is noticed.
The New York Fern naturally grows in wooded areas with dappled light. Use this fern to add a woodland or cottage garden vibe to a shady space, such as an area bordering tall trees or buildings. Create a mass planting or use these ferns in a mixed bed to provide color and texture in the summer after springtime plants fade. As a native plant, the Thelypteris noveboracensis requires little care once established and is a vigorous grower. Grow the New York Fern in zones 3 through 8.
New York Fern Care
Plant this fern in a naturally damp area near a pond or stream because it needs consistent moisture, but standing water is harmful. The New York Fern prefers rich, moist, well-drained, neutral or acidic soil. Plant this fern in part to full shade.
Remove faded or damaged fronds. Divide the plants in the spring or fall if they overwhelm a space.
New York Fern Spacing
A mature fern reaches 12 to 24 inches tall and wide. Space New York Ferns 10 to 20 inches apart because the creeping roots will send up new ferns, creating a dense colony.
New York Fern Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Partial Sun (3 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 12 - 24 Inches |
| Mature Spread: 12 - 24 Inches |
| Spacing: 12 - 24 Inches |
| Habit: Mounded |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Description: |
| Bloom Period: |
| Foliage Type: Deciduous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green, Yellow |
| Foliage Description: Yellow-green Shades |
| Seasonal Interest: N/A |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: N/A |
| Tolerates: N/A |
| Attracts: N/A |
| Container Role: |
| Uses: Mass Planting |
| Features: Foliage Interest |
| Brand: |
| Common Name: New York Fern |
| Other Name(s): Fern, New York Fern |
| Scientific Name: Thelypteris noveboracensis |
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.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. 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 | April 6th |
| Zone 9 | April 6th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
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: AZ, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, 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!