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Cinnamon Fern

About Cinnamon Fern

Cindy fern occurs in the moist, boggy ground along streams and on shaded ledges and bluffs. It typically grows in clumps to 2-3' tall, but with constant moisture can reach 6' tall. The common name of this plant is in reference to the cinnamon-colored fibers found near the frond bases. Osmunda fiber used in the potting of orchids comes from the roots of these ferns.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Genus

Osmundastrum

Family

Osmundaceae

Order

Osmundales

Also known as

Cinnamon fern and Osmundastrum

How to care for Cinnamon Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Cinnamon Fern

Cinnamon Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

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Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Cinnamon Fern in your home

Cinnamon Fern love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Cinnamon Fern does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Cinnamon Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Cinnamon Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Cinnamon Fern: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Cinnamon Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #CinnamonFern

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Cinnamon Fern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Cinnamon Fern →

Benefits of Growing Cinnamon Fern →

Common Cinnamon Fern Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Cinnamon Fern →

💦 Water Needs

Cinnamon Fern prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Cinnamon Fern Water Frequency →

Cinnamon Fern Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Cinnamon Fern requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Cinnamon Fern Light Requirements →

Cinnamon Fern Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Cinnamon Fern is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

🪴 Soil

Cinnamon Fern does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Cinnamon Fern →

Best Pots for Cinnamon Fern →

When and How to Successfully Repot Cinnamon Fern →

What Are Healthy Cinnamon Fern Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Cinnamon Fern should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Cinnamon Fern →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Cinnamon Fern is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

Cinnamon Fern Lifecycle →

Cinnamon Fern Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Cinnamon Fern →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Cinnamon Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Cinnamon Fern Temperature Tolerance →

Cinnamon Fern Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Cinnamon Fern →

When to Plant Cinnamon Fern →

How to Plant Cinnamon Fern →

Where to Plant Cinnamon Fern →

Winter Care for Cinnamon Fern →

Best Companion Plants for Cinnamon Fern →

Is Cinnamon Fern a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Cinnamon Fern, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.