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Struthiopteris spicant, deer fern
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Ferns

Struthiopteris spicant

deer fern

Blechnaceae
Western North America (Alaska to California), Europe, and eastern Asia; moist acidic coniferous forest understory — circumpolar distribution

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At a Glance

TypeFern
HabitClumping
FoliageEvergreen
Height12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Width12-18 inches (30-45 cm)
Maturity4 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer ResistantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Struthiopteris spicant is deer fern (hard fern), a compact clumping evergreen fern growing 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) tall and 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) wide. Dimorphic fronds: sterile fronds form a low spreading evergreen rosette with wide pinnae; fertile fronds emerge erect from the center, taller and narrower, with linear sori covering the underside. In Blechnaceae. Formerly Blechnum spicant. Spicant = spicate. The dimorphic frond form is the diagnostic feature. Circumpolar distribution — western North America, Europe, and eastern Asia. Requires consistent moisture and acidic soil (pH 4.5-6.0). This acid-moisture requirement is the primary cultural limitation. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant (despite the common name). Zones 5-8. Full shade to part shade. Growth rate is slow to moderate.

Native Range

Native to western North America (Alaska to California), Europe, and eastern Asia. Circumpolar distribution. Found in moist acidic coniferous forest understory.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a native shade ground cover, woodland understory, and in containers of at least 2 gallons (7.5 L) with acidic mix, spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm). Native PNW fern. Dimorphic fronds. Moist acid soil required. Non-toxic. Zones 5-8.

How to Identify

Identified by dimorphic fronds — a low spreading rosette of wide-pinnaed sterile fronds with erect narrow fertile fronds rising from the center. The dimorphic frond form (spreading sterile + erect fertile) is diagnostic of Struthiopteris spicant among PNW ferns. In Blechnaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 2'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"

Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — fern. Reproduces by spores in continuous linear sori along the underside of erect narrow fertile fronds. Spores ripen summer through fall. Fertile fronds brown after spore release.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Glossy dark green, leathery; dimorphic fronds — sterile (spreading, wider pinnae) and fertile (erect, narrow pinnae with sori); fertile fronds turn brown in fall after spore release; sterile fronds persist evergreen

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull Shade
Requires 1-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.0(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loampeat
Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-4 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full shade to part shade (1-4 hours). Moist acidic soil pH 4.5-6.0. Not drought-tolerant — consistent moisture required. Remove old brown fertile fronds in early spring (February-March). Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-8.

Pruning

Remove old brown fertile fronds and any tattered sterile fronds in early spring (February-March) before new croziers emerge.

Pruning Schedule

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic