Christmas Fern
Facts About The Aptly Named Christmas Fern
The Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is so named due to its association with Christmas. The name was first given to the plant in the 1880's in New England, as the evergreen fronds were at the time harvested in large quantities, and used for wreath making, and holiday flower arrangements. The plant closely resembles the popular Boston fern, having spiny-toothed leaves growing in clusters.
The pinnae, or leaflets, on the fronds have a thumb-like lobe at the top, adding to the Christmas lore. Some see these leaflets as resembling mittens; others see them as Christmas stockings. Apparently you can get involved into some real arguments over this, just one of the things making this fern rather enchanting.
The plant is an evergreen, though in the spring the old fronds will die off and be replaced by new growth. It will grow in either acidic or slightly alkaline soil, and in poor soil as well, but does prefer a humus-rich soil to thrive. It is a much tougher plant than is normally the case with most ferns.
The plant was heavily harvested during the late 19th and early 20th century for holiday foliage, to the point where it began to become rather scarce in many locations. With a decrease in harvesting, the species has bounced back to its current plentiful state.
The evergreen characteristics of the Christmas fern sets it apart from many other fern species, especially those native to North America. The fern is found in woodlands of the eastern United States and Canada, essentially the area east of the Mississippi River, where it is one of the more commonly seen evergreen plants. It grows in both dry and moist areas, on northern and eastern facing slopes, as well as near streams and in swampy areas. The fern typically grows to a height of about 18”, in fountain-like clumps. A mature plant in the wild will typically have around 20 fronds. A domesticated plant, grown in the home garden, can often have many more.
As a house plant, or planted in the home garden, the Christmas fern should be located in an area of partial to full shade. The plant will generally not grow if exposed to full sun, however it may do well in conditions of partial sunshine if the ground is kept moist. Unlike many ferns, it is a very low maintenance plant, and makes a good ground cover in shady areas. This fern does not naturalize, instead the crowns grow in size.
In containers, or in the garden, the Christmas fern grows best in moderately moist, rich soil. The soil must be well drained to prevent crown rot, one of the few problems associated with the plant. It is generally pest and disease free.