Also known as Lady Fern · 1.2k saves
Athyrium
Athyrium, the genus most gardeners know as lady fern. We track 36 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 24 most-saved Athyrium varieties
See all 36 Athyrium varieties →Search this genus →
4 species of Athyrium
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Athyrium in Sow
Save the Athyrium you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Athyrium
Whats common across all Athyrium varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 36 most-grown of them.
The Athyrium year
- DivideApril and May100% of varieties
Divide overcrowded clumps every 3-5 years in early spring.
- Spring CleanupMarch and April97% of varieties
Cut back all old, dead fronds before new fiddleheads emerge in late winter.
- MulchApril and May94% of varieties
Apply a layer of organic mulch to keep roots cool and moist.
- PlantApril, May, October and November39% of varieties
Plant or transplant in spring or early fall into humus-rich soil.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ❌
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch fronds ❌
- Don't let soil dry out completely
What goes wrong with Athyrium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with organic insecticidal soap |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in fronds | Use slug bait or handpick during damp evenings |
| Spider mites | Stippled or dull foliage with fine webbing under fronds during dry conditions. | Increase ambient humidity and rinse frond undersides with water. |
| Scale insects | Small waxy bumps along stems and frond undersides. | Prune out affected fronds or wipe insects away manually. |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning fronds | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Rhizoctonia root rot | Wilting and browning of fronds | Improve drainage and avoid overwatering |
| Fungal leaf spots | Spotted or blotched fronds | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide if necessary |
Making more Athyrium
Division
- Dig up the clump in early spring or fall
- Separate smaller sections with roots attached
- Plant divisions immediately in prepared soil
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Wait 2-3 weeks for establishment
Spores
- Collect spores from mature fronds in late summer.
- Sow spores on moist, sterile seed-starting mix.
- Keep soil consistently moist and in shaded area.
- Germination occurs in 6-8 weeks.
Athyrium questions
How many types of Athyrium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 36 distinct Athyrium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.2k real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Athyrium grow in?
Across its varieties, Athyrium covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Athyrium bloom?
Most Athyrium varieties bloom in late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Athyrium should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.