Does this fern stay green all year?

It is semi evergreen, meaning it keeps its foliage through mild winters but may die back in colder climates.

How do I propagate it?

The easiest way is to divide the root clumps in early spring.

Plant guide

Broad buckler fern.

Dryopteris dilatata

Pronounced dry-OP-ter-is di-la-TA-ta

Also known as Broad Buckler-Fern, Common Buckler-Fern, broad buckler fern, broad wood fern

The broad buckler fern is a lovely woodland native that brings a lush, forest feel to shady spots. It features elegant, arching fronds that add texture to your garden beds. You will love how it thrives in cool, damp environments.

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: 3 to 4 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: None, produces spores

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid letting it dry out completely. Watch for browning frond tips, which often signal that the air is too dry or the soil needs more water. It prefers a spot sheltered from harsh winds and direct sun.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds in late winter or early spring before new growth appears.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound or the soil structure breaks down.
Soil: Humus rich and moist
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant contains small amounts of filicin which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities.
Children: Keep away from small children as the fronds can be tough and the plant is not for consumption.
Contact allergens: The spores can sometimes cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The fine spores released in late summer may trigger respiratory sensitivity in those prone to fern allergies.
Edibility: This fern is not considered edible and may cause digestive distress if consumed.

How to identify it

Triangular shaped fronds
Dark scales on the stipe
Deeply divided leafy segments
Arching habit

Height: 0.6 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: dark green, mid green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your broad buckler fern from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: Leave the old fronds on the plant until spring to protect the crown from frost. Clear away dead debris once new growth appears.
In containers: It grows well in large pots that provide enough room for the root system to expand.

Division

1. Carefully dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass into smaller sections.
3. Replant the divisions immediately in moist, organic soil.

Pair this fern with other moisture loving woodland plants to create a lush, low maintenance shade garden.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar requirements for shade and moisture.
Bleeding Heart · The delicate flowers contrast beautifully with the coarse fern foliage.

Similar species

Male Fern · It is a larger, more upright relative that thrives in similar conditions.

Science

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Genus: Dryopteris
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of western Asia.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It grows in moist, shaded woodland areas where it helps stabilize the soil and provides habitat for forest floor creatures.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small ground animals
Uses: woodland garden, shade border, container planting

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 3/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does this fern stay green all year?: It is semi evergreen, meaning it keeps its foliage through mild winters but may die back in colder climates.
How do I propagate it?: The easiest way is to divide the root clumps in early spring.

Where the name comes from

The name Dryopteris comes from the Greek words for oak and fern, while dilatata refers to the expanded or broadened fronds.

Good to know

It is often called the broad buckler fern due to the shape of its spore cases.
The fronds are tripinnate, giving them a lovely lacy appearance.
It prefers acidic, moist soil conditions.

Also in

Keep your broad buckler fern growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.