

Crested Wood Fern
About Crested Wood Fern
Crested Wood Fern is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.
Crested Wood Fern likes soil that is well draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
Crested Wood Fern belongs to the Dryopteris genus, and is native to Europe to Central Siberia, Canada to the United States.
Taxonomy
Dryopteris cristata
Dryopteris
Dryopteridaceae
Polypodiales
Also known as
Crested buckler-fern

How to care for Crested Wood Fern
How often to water your Crested Wood Fern

every 9
Crested Wood 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
Finding light for Crested Wood Fern in your home

a window
Crested Wood Fern love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Crested Wood Fern does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Crested Wood Fern in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Crested Wood Fern

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 Crested Wood Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
Crested Wood Fern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
💦 Water Needs
Crested Wood 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.
☀️ Sunlight Needs
Crested Wood 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 🏡.
🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
🪴 Soil
Crested Wood 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!
💩 Fertilizer
Crested Wood Fern grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern
Crested Wood Fern grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.
🌦️ Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Crested Wood Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 3a-7b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
🧐 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.
Care Summary for Crested Wood Fern
Crested Wood Fern
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
