Species
Athyrium niponicumJapanese painted fern18 other cultivars
‘Pictum’Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
‘Ghost’Ghost Fern
‘Wildwood Twist’Japanese Painted Fern 'Wildwood Twist'
‘Japanese Painted Fern’Japanese Painted Fern
‘Metallicum’Metallicum Japanese Painted Fern
‘Crested Surf’Crested Surf Japanese Fern
‘Regal Red’Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern
‘Thrill Seeker’Japanese Painted Fern Thrill Seeker
‘Mix’Japanese Painted Fern
‘Silver Falls’Japanese Painted Fern 'Silver Falls'
‘Joy Ride’Joy Ride Japanese Painted Fern
‘Lemon Cream’Lemon Cream Japanese Painted Fern
‘Burgundy Lace’Japanese Painted Fern Burgundy Lace
‘Apple Court’Japanese Painted Fern Apple Court
‘Chungdu Queen’Chungdu Queen Japanese Painted Fern
‘Soul Mate’Japanese Painted Fern Soul Mate
‘Ursula's Red’Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern- ‘Ping Wu’Ping Wu Japanese Painted Fern
Same species
Species
Athyrium niponicumJapanese painted fern18 other cultivars
- ‘Pictum’Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Ghost’Ghost Fern
- ‘Wildwood Twist’Japanese Painted Fern 'Wildwood Twist'
- ‘Japanese Painted Fern’Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Metallicum’Metallicum Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Crested Surf’Crested Surf Japanese Fern
- ‘Regal Red’Regal Red Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Thrill Seeker’Japanese Painted Fern Thrill Seeker
- ‘Mix’Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Silver Falls’Japanese Painted Fern 'Silver Falls'
- ‘Joy Ride’Joy Ride Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Lemon Cream’Lemon Cream Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Burgundy Lace’Japanese Painted Fern Burgundy Lace
- ‘Apple Court’Japanese Painted Fern Apple Court
- ‘Chungdu Queen’Chungdu Queen Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Soul Mate’Japanese Painted Fern Soul Mate
- ‘Ursula's Red’Ursula's Red Japanese Painted Fern
- ‘Ping Wu’Ping Wu Japanese Painted Fern
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Fern
Height
21 inches
Width
29 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Moist
Humidity
High
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Japan
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Athyrium niponicum, commonly known as Japanese painted fern, is a graceful deciduous fern with silvery-gray to bluish-green fronds that display striking burgundy and purple hues, creating a delicate, ornamental foliage display. Crested Surf (TM) is a distinctive cultivar noted for its unique, double-crested fronds. The silvery-green foliage is highlighted with purple-red midribs, and the tips of the pinnae are forked or crested, creating a ruffled, textured appearance.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Planting
How to Grow
- Tuck spores or divisions into moist soil in early spring
- Water regularly to keep soil consistently moist
- Mist fronds during dry periods for best color
- Mulch lightly to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer in spring
- Divide every 3-4 years in early spring
Pro Tip
Ensure soil remains consistently moist and provide partial shade for best foliage color.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Keep soil moist 🌱
- Provide partial shade
- Mulch to retain moisture
- Divide every few years
Don't
- Allow soil to dry out ❌
- Expose to direct harsh sunlight ❌
- Over-fertilize which can burn roots ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Spring Cleanup |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern questions
What zones can Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern grow in?
Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern deer resistant?
Yes — Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern bloom?
Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern typically blooms in late spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern need full sun?
Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern does best in part shade.
More Athyrium to compare
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Pictum Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
Ghost Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Ghost'
Lady in Red Fern
Athyrium filix-femina 'Lady in Red'
Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum 'Japanese Painted Fern'
Okanum fern
Athyrium otophorum 'Okanum'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Grow Crested Surf Japanese Painted Fern with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.