Also known as Wood Fern · 1.8k gardener saves
Dryopteris: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Dryopteris, the genus most gardeners know as wood fern. We track 73 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 Dryopteris varieties
Of 73 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBroad Buckler-fern
Dryopteris dilatata 'Jimmy Dyce'
#2 most savedLog Fern
Dryopteris x celsa 'Shreveport'
#3 most savedAutumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
Shaggy Shield Fern
Dryopteris cycadina
Western Wood Fern The King Fern
Dryopteris affinis 'The King'
Goldie's Wood Fern
Dryopteris goldieana
Clinton's Wood Fern
Dryopteris x clintoniana
Log Fern
Dryopteris x separabilis
Wallich's Wood Fern
Dryopteris wallichiana 'Tucumanji'
Southern Wood Fern
Dryopteris australis
Tokyo Wood Fern
Dryopteris tokyoensis
Brilliance Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance'
Browse all 73 Dryopteris varieties →
How to grow Dryopteris
What the Dryopteris varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Dryopteris year
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back any old or damaged fronds before new fiddleheads emerge.
- MulchMarch and April98% of varieties
Apply organic mulch to keep the soil cool and retain moisture.
- DivideMarch and April98% of varieties
Divide large, crowded clumps every 5-10 years.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October50% of varieties
Plant or transplant in early spring or early fall.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Prune dead fronds in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist 🌱
- Fertilize lightly in spring
Avoid
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch fronds ❌
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight ❌
- Don’t let soil dry out completely
What goes wrong with Dryopteris
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Slugs | Chewed fronds | Use organic slug bait or handpick slugs |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue on fronds | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Fungal rot | Yellowing or browning fronds | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root rot | Wilting, yellowing fronds | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf spot | Spotted or discolored fronds | Remove affected leaves and improve air circulation |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves and rotting roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Dryopteris
Division
- Dig up the fern in early spring or fall.
- Divide the root clump into sections with at least one frond each.
- Plant divisions in prepared soil and water thoroughly.
- Keep soil moist for several weeks to establish roots.
Spores
- Collect mature spores from the undersides of fronds in late summer.
- Sprinkle spores onto moist, sterile seed-starting mix.
- Cover lightly with soil and keep humid for 6 weeks.
- Maintain indirect light and consistent moisture.
Dryopteris questions
How many types of Dryopteris are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 73 distinct Dryopteris varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.8k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Dryopteris grow in?
Across its varieties, Dryopteris 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 Dryopteris bloom?
Most Dryopteris varieties bloom in early spring, late fall, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Dryopteris 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
More on Dryopteris
Dryopteris shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Dryopteris 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.
