Autumn Fern / Japanese Shield Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
description
Autumn Fern is a garden fern whose new fronds emerge coppery red before turning green.
benefits
- Low—light tolerant
- Pet-friendly, non-toxic to animals
- Suitable for containers
How to care for Autumn Fern
sunlight
Autumn Fern grows beneath woodland canopies, where light is filtered by leaves rather than harsh and direct. Give it a bright, shaded spot indoors or dappled shade outside to keep new fronds richly coppery.
Bright indirect light
Place near an east or north window, or a few feet back from a brighter window behind a sheer curtain. Gentle morning sun is usually fine, but strong afternoon sun can scorch the fronds.
Tolerates lower indirect light
It will manage a shadier room, though growth may be slower and the copper color on new fronds can be less vivid. Avoid deep, windowless corners.
watering
Keep Autumn Fern evenly moist while it is growing, but never leave its roots sitting in water. It naturally grows in humus-rich woodland soil, so aim for soil that feels cool and lightly damp rather than soggy.
Spring - early autumn
For a potted fern, water about every 3-7 days, or when the top 1 inch of mix has dried. Water thoroughly until excess drains away. Garden plants usually need a deep watering about weekly during dry weather, especially in their first year.
Late autumn - winter
Growth slows in cool, low light conditions, so check roughly once a week and water only when the surface has started to dry. A sheltered outdoor fern may need little extra water if rainfall keeps the root zone moist.
Warm sun, wind, small pots, terracotta, and a fast-draining mix make the soil dry faster. Shade, cool weather, larger pots, and dense soil extend the interval.
humidity
Preferred humidity
Autumn Fern comes from sheltered woodland, where the air stays gently moist around its fronds. Average household humidity of about 40-50% is usually fine, but it looks freshest with moderately humid air, especially in a warm room.
Keep it away from radiators, heating vents, and strong air conditioning. In winter, dry heated air is more likely to mark the fronds.
How to increase humidity
- Group it with other plants to create a slightly more humid pocket.
- Use a small humidifier nearby if humidity stays below about 40%.
- Place the pot on a pebble tray with water below the pot base, not touching the roots.
temperature
Preferred range
Established garden plants
Autumn Fern comes from cool, shaded woodland in East Asia, so it is happiest out of hot, drying exposure. Established plants in the ground handle winter cold well, but container roots need more protection.
nutrition
March - August
Feed container-grown plants about once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength, applied to moist soil. An established garden fern usually needs only a spring mulch of compost. Stop feeding when growth slows in autumn and winter.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the fern's leafy green fronds. A gentle, balanced feed provides enough without pushing soft growth.
soil
Humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil
Autumn Fern prefers loose soil that holds even moisture but still lets excess water drain away. Mix regular potting soil with compost or leaf mould and a little fine bark or perlite to keep the roots airy.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic soil, similar to a woodland floor. Most peat-free mixes with compost or leaf mould will suit it; avoid adding lime or using strongly alkaline garden soil.