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Also known as
Southwestern ladyfern, Subarctic ladyfern, Lady fern and Common lady-fern
Taxonomy
Athyrium filix-femina
Athyrium
Athyriaceae
Polypodiales

How to care for Common Ladyfern

How often to water your Common Ladyfern

every 9
Common Ladyfern needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesnāt 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Common Ladyfern in your home

a window
Common Ladyfern may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves š, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Common Ladyfern in your home š”.

How to fertilize Common Ladyfern

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 itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Common Ladyfern after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.

Common Ladyfern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Sunlight Needs
Common Ladyfern may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves š without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
Soil
Common Ladyfern 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!
Fertilizer
Common Ladyfern 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 itās refreshed yearly, you shouldnāt need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Growth Pattern
Common Ladyfern is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Common Ladyfern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Common Ladyfern can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Care Summary for Common Ladyfern
Common Ladyfern
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
