
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
The King of Ferns, Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris is the largest of the native ferns that have been grown in gardens predating Victorian times and are once again enjoying a popularity among gardeners. This tall stately fern is tolerant of sun or shade, making it a versatile addition to informal gardens across the country. It spreads naturally throughout your garden bed, and makes a spectacular display. Due to its eventual size, you will want to allot a larger area to this whopper!
Native to North America and thriving in particular in the Northern regions, Ostrich Ferns can be found in shaded woodlands across our nation. Hardy from Zones 3-7, it needs the cool winter temperatures to regenerate its growth for the next spring. It is deer and rabbit resistant and is typically not bothered by insects or plant diseases, making it a great choice for your full sun or shade garden. As a rule of thumb, if your region is particularly cold, plant it in full sun, and if you get quite warm during summer, consider planting it where it will receive some shade, if not full shade. It’s that versatile!
Ostrich Fern Care
Ostrich Fern is going to be the happiest in rich humus soil that remains on the cool side. If you are going to plant it in full sun, provide it a consistently moist well draining soil. Very few plants enjoy having their roots sit in pooling water. Mulching your plants year round is recommended to help maintain soil moisture, especially in full sun locations. Fertilizing is not needed as the well rotted organic material that is present in rich fertile soil is enough to feed your ferns. It takes about two years to fully establish your fern so keep the water consistent during that time. A well established plant can tolerate some soil moisture fluctuations. Plant your fern with the crown at or slightly below soil level for best results. Too deep and you will create a possibility of crown rot. Preferring a slightly acidic soil with a range of 5.5 to 6.5, Ostrich Fern will tolerate more acidic soils as well.
Deadheading is not an issue here, but prune out any dead or yellowing fronds down to the ground and discard debris immediately. Ostrich Fern grows by sending out rhizomes and starting new colonies from there. If you do not want it to spread as much, harvest the fiddleheads, the fist sized curled new growth that emerges when the plant is establishing a new clump, as they are a culinary delicacy when cooked. In fact, this species is the gourmet source for fiddleheads in fine restaurants.
Ostrich Fern Spacing
Space your Ostrich Fern 36 to 48 inches apart. Growing up to 7 feet tall and spreading out about 4 feet wide, you are going to need plenty of room to grow. These ferns spread out fan-like at the top and make an excellent cover for some small marginal perennials that benefit from the shade this spectacular fern affords. The tall fronds sway in the breeze, creating a tropical feel to your garden. Bring back an informal, old fashioned feel to your spring to fall garden this year.
Ostrich Fern Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7 |
Plant Type: Perennial |
Sunlight Exposure: Full Shade to Full Sun |
Mature Height: 3 - 6 Feet |
Mature Width: 3 - 4 Feet |
Plant Spacing: 3 - 4 Feet |
Growth Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): None |
Seasonal Interest: Grown for Foliage |
Foliage Type: Herbaceous |
Foliage Color(s): Dark Green |
Resists: Deer, Rabbits |
Tolerates: Drought |
Features: Foliage Interest, Native to North America |
Uses: Border Plant, Container, Landscape, Groundcover, Mass Planting |
Plant Brand: Proven Winners |
Botanical/Scientific Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris |
- SKU:
- MATST
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!