
Southern Wood Fern
Dryopteris ludoviciana
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Southern Wood Fern grows in partial shade to shade and prefers moist to wet woodland soil. Water needs: High.
Photo Gallery
Plant reference images showing growth stages and identifying features.
Photo info
How to Grow Southern Wood Fern
Southern Wood Fern growing information includes sunlight requirements of Partial shade to shade, soil conditions listed as Moist to wet woodland soil with a soil pH of 5.0-7.0, and High water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 6-10. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Southern 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
Southern Wood Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana) 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 Easy.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0823
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Plant type
- Fern
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Difficulty
- Easy
Growing Conditions
Southern Wood Fern is listed for partial shade to shade conditions. Water needs are listed as high. The database soil reference is Moist to wet woodland soil. The listed soil pH range is 5.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 6-10.
- Hardiness zones
- 6-10
- Sunlight
- Partial shade to shade
- Soil
- Moist to wet woodland soil
- Soil pH
- 5.0-7.0
- 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
Find, buy, swap, or sell Southern Wood Fern
One World One Seed connects this plant profile to community sellers, plant swaps, storefronts, and participating garden retailers.
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.




