Popularity, clearly labeled

The Most Popular Ferns for Shade

The three most-saved ferns for shade are Ostrich Fern, Lady Fern and Shield Fern. Among ferns catalog-rated for shade rather than full sun, these are the genera Sow gardeners save most. Moisture and soil requirements vary substantially by species.

Ranked by gardener saves

1
Matteuccia
Ostrich Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Tall, vase-shaped fronds create one of the most immersive fern colonies.
Zones 4–7All 2 varieties →
2
Athyrium
Lady Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 37 varieties. Finely cut fronds, often silver or burgundy-tinted, illuminate dark corners.
Zones 4–9All 37 varieties →
3
Polystichum
Shield Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 22 varieties. Firm, finely divided fronds make an orderly evergreen or semi-evergreen clump.
Zones 4–9All 22 varieties →
4
Osmunda
Royal Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 6 varieties. Large, stately fronds bring near-prehistoric presence to reliably moist ground.
Zones 4–10All 6 varieties →
5
Dryopteris
Wood Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 75 varieties. Substantial, shuttlecock-shaped fronds give shade beds dependable backbone.
Zones 5–9All 75 varieties →
6
Onoclea
Sensitive Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Sensitive fern spreads into relaxed colonies, with bead-like fertile fronds for winter.
Zones 4–10All 1 variety →
7
Adiantum
Maidenhair Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 21 varieties. Black stems and fan-shaped leaflets give maidenhair ferns unusual delicacy.
Zones 4–8All 21 varieties →
8
Woodwardia
Chain Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 7 varieties. Large, chain-marked fronds make a bold statement beside water or in damp shade.
Zones 4–9All 7 varieties →
9
Osmundastrum
Cinnamon Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Cinnamon-colored fertile fronds rise through a bold crown of green foliage.
Zones 4–9All 1 variety →
10
Struthiopteris
Deer Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–8All 1 variety →
11
Thelypteris
Maiden Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 11 varieties. Soft, fine-textured fronds spread naturally through moist woodland ground.
Zones 4–8All 11 varieties →
12
Dennstaedtia
Hay-scented Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Hay-scented fronds spread into soft, natural-looking colonies beneath trees.
Zones 4–8All 2 varieties →
13
Diplazium
Twin-sorus Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Broad, arching fronds build a generous fern presence in rich, moist shade.
Zones 4–8All 1 variety →
14
Asplenium
Spleenwort
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 14 varieties. Distinctive fronds add crisp form to crevices, walls, and sheltered shade.
Zones 4–8All 14 varieties →
15
Phegopteris
Beech Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and easy-care.
Zones 4–8All 1 variety →
16
Deparia
False Spleenwort
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being easy-care.
Zones 5–9All 1 variety →
17
Selaginella
Spikemoss
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 9 varieties. Its representative is notable for being easy-care.
Zones 4–9All 9 varieties →
18
Phyllitis
Hart's-tongue Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Undivided, tongue-shaped fronds stand apart from the usual feathery fern texture.
Zones 5–9All 2 varieties →
19
Pellaea
Cliffbrake
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 8 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.
Zones 4–9All 8 varieties →
20
Myriopteris
Lip Fern
Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 2 varieties. Its representative is notable for being dry-spell tolerant and usually passed over by deer.
Zones 4–9All 2 varieties →

About this list

How was this the most popular ferns for shade list ranked?

A plant must first match the catalog filters named in the title. Each genus is represented and ranked by its most-saved matching variety, so genera with many cultivars do not receive an automatic advantage.

Do all ferns need shade and constant moisture?

Most want part-to-full shade, but drought is the bigger myth — autumn fern, tassel fern, and the cheilanthes group tolerate dry shade once established. Match the fern to your moisture rather than assuming they all want a bog.

When do I cut ferns back?

Leave the fronds through winter for cover, then cut deciduous ferns to the ground in early spring before the fiddleheads unfurl. Evergreen ferns just need last year’s tired fronds tidied.