Does this fern need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade to keep its fronds from burning.

How do I propagate it?

The easiest way is to divide the rhizomes in early spring.

Plant guide

New York fern.

Amauropelta noveboracensis

Pronounced ah-maw-roh-PEL-tah noh-veh-bor-ah-KEN-sis

Also known as New York fern

The New York fern is a lovely deciduous plant that thrives in moist, shaded woodlands. It spreads through underground rhizomes to form beautiful, lush colonies. You will love how its tapered fronds add a soft, natural texture to your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Fern
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Not applicable as this is a fern.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid letting it dry out completely. Watch for yellowing fronds which often signal that the soil has become too dry or the air is lacking humidity. It prefers a spot with dappled shade to mimic its natural forest floor home.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
Repotting: Repot only when the rhizomes have completely filled the current container.
Soil: Rich, acidic, well draining soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.5
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically many years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: There are no reports of significant toxicity to humans.
Children: The fronds are generally safe to touch, but they should not be ingested by small children.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Fronds taper at both ends
Lowest pinnae are very small
Bright green foliage color
Veins are unforked and reach the margins

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: bright green, yellow green, deciduous
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

Frond scorch · Occurs when the plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight or drying winds.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: The fronds will turn brown and die back after the first hard frost. You can leave the dead foliage to protect the crown or trim it back to the ground in late winter.
In containers: It grows well in large, wide containers that retain moisture, but it prefers the ground.

Division

1. Carefully dig up a clump in early spring.
2. Gently pull the rhizomes apart into smaller sections.
3. Replant immediately in moist, organic soil.

Plant this fern in groups to create a dense, weed suppressing carpet in shady spots.

Grows well with

Wild Ginger · They share similar moisture and shade requirements in a woodland setting.
Trillium · This fern provides a lush green backdrop for spring ephemerals.

Similar species

Hay scented fern · It has a similar growth habit but is more aggressive in spreading.

Science

Family: Thelypteridaceae
Genus: Amauropelta
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Eastern North America.
Conservation: It is common throughout its range and not of conservation concern.

It grows in moist, acidic forest soils where it helps stabilize the ground layer.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small woodland creatures
Uses: woodland garden groundcover, shade border plant, naturalizing in moist areas

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 3/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does this fern need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade to keep its fronds from burning.
How do I propagate it?: The easiest way is to divide the rhizomes in early spring.

Where the name comes from

The specific epithet noveboracensis means of New York, reflecting where it was first described.

Good to know

It spreads by underground rhizomes to form colonies.
The fronds are sensitive to frost and will die back completely in winter.
It thrives in the dappled light of deciduous forests.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.