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Polystichum acrostichoides [ political leader - IS - tick - um , ak - ruh - stik - OY - deez ] is a recurrent , evergreen fern from the family Dryopteridaceae ( wood fern ) and is native to easterly North America .
The plant is given the usual name Christmas fern because its evergreen plant fronds keep their vivacious immature colouration even at Christmas time , when the weather condition in its native range make extremely cold , and can thus be used in decorations .
Christmas Fern Care
Size & Growth
Polystichum acrostichoides has a unequaled structure – it features an curve cluster of tall frond attached to a tiny stalk , which is endorse by a primal rootstalk .
The sinister - green , glossy fronds are of two type , fertile and sterile , and can mature up to 1 ’ to 2 ’ foot magniloquent lasting class - round .
The uninventive fronds are shorter than the fertile ones , are located on the outer side of the clump , and form an arching , encircling moulding around the tumid rich fronds .
The plant also produces silvern fiddleheads in other spring .
Provide the right circumstance and your Christmas fern will quickly grow and establish itself .
But , unlike most rhizomatous plants , it does not go around too much or naturalize .
Flowering and Fragrance
Polystichum acrostichoides is a non - flowering flora .
Light & Temperature
The Christmas fern species turn best in part tincture to full shade . The fronds become pale when the plant is exposed to too much sun . Excessive sun exposure will cause scrawny ontogenesis .
This flora type may tolerate some sunshine if the soil has equal moisture , but since it thrives in the tincture , it ’s recommended to plant it in at least a part shaded domain ( shade garden ) and protect from very cold weather condition for proper growth rate .
USDA hardiness zone 3 – 9 .
Watering and Feeding
Christmas fern does n’t need too much watering .
While it appreciate some wet , it can grow in slimly wry grime as well .
However , unreasonable dryness will cause the leaves to sag .
Watering once a week is enough to maintain just the right amount of moisture to abide outgrowth .
Start feeding the industrial plant with agranular fertilizerfrom the second spring time of year after planting .
fertilize once a year is enough .
Christmas Fern Soil & Transplanting
Polystichum acrostichoides thrives in organically rich , and well drained sandy or rocky dirt .
While it can grow in other types of grunge as well , the fern can not abide clay and water supply - log soils .
transplantation to ground after the end of the frost time of year and go away about 18 ” inch of space between plantings to avoid overcrowding .
Also , put on a buddy-buddy bed of foliage mulch , shredded bark , or pine needle to help retain grunge moisture .
Grooming and Maintenance
spring up and wish for a Christmas fern works requires minimum effort .
While it does n’t involve snip , you may bump off damaged or brown frond to maintain its appearance .
It ’s also deer resistant .
Recommended Reading : Polystichum Polyblepharum aka Tassel Fern
How To Propagate Polystichum Acrostichoides
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides is propagated by spores or antecedent division .
roll up spore when they are mature and inseminate them in humus - racy , moist grunge at 59 ° – 61 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 15 ° C – 16 ° speed of light ) in partial shade .
give is the good time to propagate by root segmentation .
Christmas Fern Pest or Diseases
The plant is susceptible to crownwork rot if grown in poorly drained soil .
In increase to ensuring the grease is well - draining , experts suggest institute the rootstalk at an angle to avoid the problem .
Also , look out formealy bugsand musical scale insects .
The larvae of pyralid moth will feed on Christmas fern ’s sterile frond .
Polystichum Acrostichoides Uses
Since this fern specie does n’t wish too much sun , it is best to be grown in the shaded area of gardens . They grow alongside walls or on patios .
The Christmas fern is often grown as a ground cover to prevent territory erosion even though it ’s a clumping fern .
The business firm , deep green leave-taking make it a great companion for timberland garden wildflower .
There is also grounds the plant was historically used by many North American Indian tribes for medicinal determination , such as for treating rheumatic joints , bowel take , pneumonia , and febrility .
However , it is not known to be used in New herbalism .
