Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade.

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Plant guide

Deer fern.

Struthiopteris spicant

Pronounced stroo-thee-OP-ter-is SPIK-ant

Also known as Hard-fern, deer fern, hard fern

The deer fern is a lovely woodland plant that features two distinct types of fronds. It thrives in cool, damp environments and adds a classic forest feel to your garden. You will love how its dark green foliage stays lush throughout the year.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
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: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 5 to 9
Bloom time: Not applicable as this is a spore-bearing fern.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural forest floor habitat. Watch for browning tips which often signal that the air is too dry or the soil has dried out completely. Provide plenty of shade to protect the delicate fronds from scorching.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist at all times, especially during the growing season.
Feeding: Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer during the spring and summer months.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds in early spring to make room for new growth.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the container or the soil has broken down.
Soil: Rich, acidic, well-draining soil
Soil pH: 5.0 to 6.0
Temperature: -20 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%

Safety

People: There are no significant toxicity reports for humans.
Children: The plant is generally safe, but the fronds can be sharp or brittle if handled roughly.
Contact allergens: The spores can cause minor irritation if inhaled in large quantities.
Airborne allergens: Spore release may trigger mild reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Distinct sterile and fertile fronds
Sterile fronds form flat rosettes
Fertile fronds grow upright and narrow
Dark green leathery texture
Deeply pinnatifid leaf structure

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

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Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, autumn

Group this fern with other moisture-loving woodland plants to maintain a humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Hosta · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Bleeding Heart · It offers a beautiful textural contrast to the fern fronds.

Similar species

Sword Fern · It is another common evergreen fern found in similar habitats.

Science

Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Struthiopteris
Order: Polypodiales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Native to cool, moist forests across the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

It grows in the understory of coniferous forests where it utilizes high humidity and acidic soil.

Value to wildlife: provides cover for small ground creatures
Uses: woodland gardens, shaded borders, container planting

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade.
How often should I water it?: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Where the name comes from

The name Struthiopteris comes from the Greek for ostrich fern, while spicant refers to the spike-like fertile fronds.

Good to know

It is commonly called deer fern because deer are known to graze on the fronds.
The fertile fronds are much taller and thinner than the sterile ones.
It thrives in acidic, moist soil conditions.

Also in

Plants for shade

Keep your deer fern growing

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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.