Also known as Holly Fern · 99 gardener saves
Cyrtomium: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Cyrtomium, the genus most gardeners know as holly fern. We track 16 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Cyrtomium varieties
Of 16 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGiant Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Ulleung Island'
#2 most savedJapanese Holly Fern Green Tea
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Green Tea'
#3 most savedHybrid Holly Fern
Cyrtomium x faltideum
Fortune's Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei
Fortune's Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Fortunately'
Fortune's Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Ping Wu'
Fortune's Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Feliciana'
Fortune's Holly Fern
Cyrtomium fortunei 'Tao Yuan'
Lesser Holly Fern
Cyrtomium lonchitoides
Japanese Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
Japanese Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum 'Rochfordianum'
Large-leaf Holly Fern
Cyrtomium macrophyllum
Browse all 16 Cyrtomium varieties →
How to grow Cyrtomium
What the Cyrtomium varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Cyrtomium year
- DivideMarch and April100% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 4-5 years in spring or early fall
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March100% of varieties
Remove any brown or damaged fronds close to the base before new growth
- MulchMarch and April81% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture and keep roots cool
- PlantMarch, April, September and October44% of varieties
Plant in spring or early fall in well-drained, shaded soil
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Prune dead or damaged fronds in early spring
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch fronds ❌
- Skip fertilizing during dormancy
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ❌
What goes wrong with Cyrtomium
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew on fronds | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with organic insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing fronds | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
Making more Cyrtomium
Division
- Dig up mature fern in early spring or fall
- Gently separate root clumps into smaller sections
- Plant divisions in prepared shady beds
- Water thoroughly after planting
- Allow 4-6 weeks to establish
Spores
- Collect mature spores in late summer.
- Tuck spores into moist, sterile soil in a shaded tray.
- Keep soil moist and cover with plastic for humidity.
- Wait approximately 6 weeks for germination.
Cyrtomium questions
How many types of Cyrtomium are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Cyrtomium varieties. The most popular — ranked by 99 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Cyrtomium grow in?
Across its varieties, Cyrtomium 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 Cyrtomium bloom?
Most Cyrtomium varieties bloom in early spring, late fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Cyrtomium 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.
Keep exploring
Cyrtomium shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Cyrtomium in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
