Japanese Holly Fern

Uses: Shade-Loving Outdoor Ornamental, and Houseplant

Benefits: Ideal for shaded areas! Low-maintenance! Evergreen in warmer climates! Beautiful foliage! Air purification—removes toxins and VOCs such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from the air.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 - 10

Sun: Part Shade to Full Shade

Life Cycle: Perennial Fern

Mature Height: 24"

Mature Width: 36"

Bloom Season: Non-flowering

Cyrtomium falcatum—most commonly known as the Japanese Holly Fern, and sometimes as the Fishtail Fern—is best known for its dense, stiff, attractive, olive-green foliage that's evergreen in areas of warmer winters! Its serrated-edged leaflets closely resemble the foliage of a Holly Tree; hence the name. 

Ferns are fantastic air-purifying plants, and are known to help remove many of the most common airborne toxins and VOCs such as formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene.

Japanese Holly Fern grows into somewhat of a mound-like shape over time, and is absolutely excellent for use as specimen plants, groundcover or as a border edging in shadier locations! 

Thrives when potted as an indoor plant, in a hanging basket, as a patio plant, or planted outdoors in appropriate zones. 

Japanese Holly Fern Care

Cyrtomium falcatum thrives in shaded areas. Avoid exposure to full, strong sun.

Japanese Holly Fern may be grown as an outdoor perennial fern when planted in hardiness zones 6-10.

Prefers soil full of rich, organic compounds. Avoid soil with poor drainage as root rot may likely occur if planted in such. 

Attempt to keep soil slightly moist but not wet. Please be aware that indoor grown Japanese Holly Ferns will drink considerably less over the winter than over the summer. 

This plant does best in moderate temperatures between 55°F and 85°F.

Japanese Holly Fern is a deciduous plant. As such, it will lose its fronds as winter approaches when grown in colder (appropriate) zones. Many individuals choose to trim and remove dead fronds over winter. Fronds will return will vigor and fullness in the spring. 

Needs very little to no fertilizer depending on soil conditions. Use caution when fertilizing and apply fertilizer at 1/4 strength max.

Size of Japanese Holly Ferns for Sale Online

The Cyrtomium falcatum that we sell online will ship in a greenhouse grade grow pot or hanging basket. Each plant will be appropriately sized for its pot. Please contact us with any specific questions.

Size of Japanese Holly Ferns When Fully Grown

Cyrtomium falcatum grow to a mature size of around 12" - 24" of height and 24" - 36" of width. They oven spread through division and their spores, so fern patches may grow to widths much larger than 3'. 

What are the Common Names of Cyrtomium falcatum? 

• Japanese Holly Fern
  

• Fishtail Fern

Toxicity and Risks of Japanese Holly Ferns

The ASPCA lists Cyrtomium falcatum as non-toxic.