Crested Wood Fern
Dryopteris cristata
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Crested Wood Fern grows in partial shade to shade and prefers moist to wet acidic soil. Water needs: High.
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How to Grow Crested Wood Fern
Crested Wood Fern growing information includes sunlight requirements of Partial shade to shade, soil conditions listed as Moist to wet acidic soil with a soil pH of 4.5-6.5, and High water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 3-7. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Crested Wood Fern as 30-90 days from spores, with planting or establishment depth listed as Surface sow. Days to maturity are listed as 2-3 years.
Plant Overview
Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata) is listed in the Dryopteridaceae family and categorized as a fern with a perennial life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0737
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Plant type
- Fern
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Growing Conditions
Crested Wood Fern is listed for partial shade to shade conditions. Water needs are listed as high. The database soil reference is Moist to wet acidic soil. The listed soil pH range is 4.5-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 3-7.
- Hardiness zones
- 3-7
- Sunlight
- Partial shade to shade
- Soil
- Moist to wet acidic soil
- Soil pH
- 4.5-6.5
- Water needs
- High
Seed & Germination
For seed starting, the listed germination time is 30-90 days from spores and the seed depth is Surface sow. The listed time to maturity is 2-3 years. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- 30-90 days from spores
- Seed depth
- Surface sow
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 2-3 years
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Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.