Japanese Holly Fern

Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) is a lush shade fern with long, glossy fronds arranged in a neat herringbone, which is why it is also called holly fern and fishtail fern. It grows 50cm to 1m tall and wide. It is tougher than most ferns, comes through a light frost, and suits shady borders, rockeries and pots, indoors or out.

Why you'll love it

• Glossy, leathery fronds. The shiny, holly-like leaflets stand apart from the softer texture of most ferns, so the plant looks smart in a pot or a border.
• Copes with a light frost. It should come through a light frost, especially in a sheltered spot, which is more than many ferns manage.
• Good indoors and out. It grows well in containers on a shaded patio, or inside in bright, indirect light, where it adds a touch of lush green.
• Fills shade without fuss. It makes an evergreen border or underplanting in areas where lawn and flowers will not grow.

Where it works best

Shady borders. Plant 50cm apart along the shaded side of a house, a fence or a path. The fronds knit together into a dense green edge.

Underplanting. Use it beneath trees and tall shrubs, mulching after planting so the roots stay cool and moist.

Containers. A pot 30cm wide or larger suits one plant. Indoors, turn the pot every week or two so growth stays even.

Rockeries. Tuck it into a moist, shaded pocket among stones, where its glossy fronds contrast with the rock.

Growing Japanese Holly Fern in Australia

Position and climate. Shade to part shade, with humid air. In the wild it grows on coastal cliffs, stream banks and other places with moist air. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and in cooler southern ones is best sheltered by a wall or a canopy. Protect it from hard frost.

Soil. Free draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Mulch after planting to retain moisture and moderate the soil temperature while the young plant settles.

Water and feed. Keep the plant moist through dry periods, because ferns thrive in humid conditions. Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring, and a liquid fertiliser every four weeks through the warmer months, diluted to half the recommended dose to avoid burn.

Pruning. Remove old, browned fronds at the base to keep the plant neat. Re-pot container plants only when they have outgrown their pots.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Japanese Holly Fern as tube stock, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tube stock is a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that takes readily to a shaded, mulched spot, though ferns are in no hurry: expect a small start and a full clump after a season or two. The pots give you a fuller plant from day one.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Ferns for shady areas
• Plants for full shade
• Growing ferns in Australia: light, humidity and placement
• Shade gardening in Australia: what to plant where

Common questions

Does it need a lot of water?

It needs steady moisture, particularly in dry weather and while it is establishing. Mulch helps, and a pot should never be allowed to dry out completely.

Can I grow it inside?

Yes, in a bright spot out of direct sun. Turn the pot every week or two so all sides get light, and keep the air from getting too dry.

What are the orange dots under the fronds?

Those are clusters of spores, and a normal feature on mature plants. They are not a pest or a disease, so leave them alone.