Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
Holly Fern is grown for its foliage rather than flowers, giving the garden structure and color all season long.
Mature size, hardiness zones, sun and the trait tags were checked against named botanical sources for this plant. The bloom months and water need on this page were not.
Growing Holly Fern
Plant it in full shade. It prefers moderate water. It is hardy in USDA zones 6–10. Expect it to reach about 1.6 ft tall and 2 ft wide at maturity, in roughly 3 years.
When to plant Holly Fern
Plant Holly Fern in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, or in early fall at least six weeks before your first frost, so roots establish in cool weather. For the middle of its hardy zones 6 to 10 range, spring means February to April and fall means September or October.
Month-by-month timing for your zone is on the planting calendar: for the middle of its range, start with zone 8 in February.
Good to know about Holly Fern
Curated from university extensions, botanic gardens and other primary sources, with the source named on every note.
Worth knowing
Its glossy, dark green, leathery leaflets are sickle-shaped (falcatum means sickle) and outlined like a holly leaf, hence the name. It looks nothing like a lacy fern. per NC State
Zone range varies by source
Most sources give 6 to 10; NC State sets a cautious floor of 7a, and UF/IFAS stretches the warm end to 11. Near the edge, treat 7 as your floor. per NC State and University of Florida
Non-toxic to pets
Both the ASPCA (dogs and cats) and NC State (cats, dogs and horses) affirmatively list it as non-toxic, a stronger clearance than ferns cleared only by absence from toxic lists. per ASPCA and NC State
Tough where other ferns fail
NC State and Texas A&M rate it salt-tolerant and happy in dry shade, low humidity and urban sites, thriving on coastal, city and indoor spots where lacier ferns fail. per NC State and Texas A&M
Evergreen or deciduous by zone
In mild winters the glossy fronds stay green year-round; where winters are hard it dies back or drops them. Cut old or winter-burned fronds in early spring. per NC State and Missouri Botanical Garden
Deer and rabbit resistant
Texas A&M reports it is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits. It is mostly trouble-free, though watch for scale and mites, worse on plants stressed by drought. per Texas A&M and NC State
What pairs well with Holly Fern
Good companions share its growing conditions and add something it lacks: an earlier or later bloom, a lower carpet in front, or structure through winter.
Dead Nettle
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Primrose
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; lower at 8 in, for the front of the border.
Wishbone Flower
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate water; lower at 10 in, for the front of the border.
Summersweet
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; taller at 5.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
Cinnamon Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; taller at 3.3 ft, for the layer behind it.
Royal Fern
Takes part shade to full shade and moderate to high water; taller at 3.9 ft, for the layer behind it.
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Drop this plant onto a 3D plan, see how it fills in, and watch your whole garden bloom across the year.