Cyrtomium falcatum, the Japanese Holly Fern, is an elegant, perennial fern grown for its glossy, dark green fronds.
It is a great plant to grow in the more shaded parts of your garden.
This native plant of East Asia has become a common sight in the darker spots of many gardens. It is also often grown as an indoor plant. With people enjoying its decorative foliage and relatively low care needs.
The Japanese Holly Fern typically reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 feet (45 to 60 cm). And it has a similar spread.
Plants carry distinctive fronds that can reach about 1 to 2.5 feet (30 to 75 cm) in length. These fronds have a broad and arching nature, with their leaflets being a little reminiscent of holly leaves.
As a fern, this plant does not flower, but carries striking fronds. These help to provide year-round interest indoors and out.
As it can tolerate shade, it does particularly well when used as a woodland garden plant. It also looks great in borders, rockeries, and containers (where it can be grown outdoors or as a houseplant).
Cyrtomium falcatum is an adaptable plant with an attractive appearance that thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 to 10, this is equivalent to about RHS H4 to H5, thus making it hardy to fairly cold winters.
How to Grow Cyrtomium falcatum in the Garden
This fern does best in full to partially shaded locations, which makes it perfect for the darker areas of your garden.
It will require a well-drained, moist soil rich in organic matter.
Once Japanese Holly Fern is established, it will require only the minimal of care. Regular watering will be required as it loves a moist soil, but avoid waterlogging the soil as this may result in root rot.
Feed it monthly with a monthly balanced, liquid fertilizer to encourage growth and maintain soil nutrition.
To propagate Cyrtomium falcatum, spores can be collected in late summer or early fall. Inoculate the spores on the surface of a moist compost in a covered container.
Maintain a temperature of 60 to 70°F (15 to 20°C) until development of the prothallus (heart-shaped fern gametophyte stage) occurs.
Though less fun, this fern is more commonly propagated by dividing mature plants in the spring. When repotting make sure that each division has a healthy amount of both of roots and fronds.
Although this fern is hardy it can be susceptible to certain pests, such as scale insects and mealybugs. Be on the look out for these and remove them before they have a chance to do any damage to your fern. When grown in pots, over-watering may lead to the roots becoming rotted.
Growing Japanese Holly Fern as a houseplant
When grown indoors as a houseplant, Cyrtomium falcatum will do best when placed in medium to low light conditions. Keep it away from direct sunlight.
Provide it with some water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil has become slightly dry. It is important to keep the soil moist, but do not let it get waterlogged, ensuring it remains moist, but not waterlogged.
Misting the fern or using a pebble tray with water can help to maintain humidity if you are growing in a dry room.
Shield the fern from any cold drafts, and try to maintain a temperature of 60°F to 75°F (15.5°C to 24°C).
Quick Japanese Holly Fern Growing and Care Guide
Scientific Name: Cyrtomium falcatum
Common Name(s): Japanese Holly Fern, Holly Fern.
Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness): USDA Zones: 6-10. RHS Hardiness Rating: H5 (Hardy – average winter).
Best Used For / Garden Location: Ideal for shady borders, woodland features, containers, and as an indoor houseplant.
Plant Details
Life Cycle / Plant Type: Evergreen, fern.
Plant Height: 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m).
Plant Spread: 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 m).
Blooms: Does not flower.
Flower Details: Not applicable.
Leaf Foliage: Leaves are glossy, dark green, and leathery. They have with holly-like leaflets.
Fruit: N/A.
Growing Conditions and Location
Best Light Conditions: Partial to full shade.
Suitable Soil Types: Rich, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil.
Sowing / planting: Plant spores or divisions in spring.
Germination time: Spores germinate in 5-6 weeks.
Propagation: Propagation can be done by spores, or by dividing the plant in spring (division is much easier).
Plant Care: Keep soil moist, not waterlogged. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season.
Growing in pots and containers: Suitable for pots and containers if proper care is taken to ensure consistent moisture.
Growing as a House plant: Grows well as a houseplant, especially in bathrooms due to its love of high humidity.
Further Information
Miscellaneous: Adaptable to a variety of conditions, can be drought-tolerant once established. Does not attract any significant pests or diseases.
Pests and diseases: May be minorly affected by scale and mealybugs.
Common Cultivars / Varieties: No notable cultivars.
Family: Dryopteridaceae, the Wood Fern family.
Native: Eastern Asia.
References and Further Reading: MBG Plant Finder Cyrtomium falcatum. General Fern Care Advice.
Common Questions
Does Cyrtomium falcatum make a good garden or landscaping plant?
Cyrtomium falcatum can make a lovely addition to gardens and landscapes. It can make a fantastic plant for shady areas.
Is Cyrtomium falcatum a fragrant plant?
Cyrtomium falcatum is not known for its fragrance.
What is the perfect location to grow Japanese Holly Fern?
Japanese Holly Fern enjoys a location with part to full shade and a moist, well-drained soil. It makes a great choice for shade gardens, woodland plantings, and container gardening.
Is Cyrtomium falcatum invasive in the USA, if so in which states?
Cyrtomium falcatum is not considered invasive in the USA.
How do I remove Japanese Holly Fern from my garden?
To remove Japanese Holly Fern, dig up the entire plant and remove all of the root system. This will prevent it from growing back.
Summary
Cyrtomium falcatum is an Asian native fern with fronds similar in appearance to Holly leaves. It thrives in part shade to full shade conditions. Japanese Holly Fern does best in consistently moist, well-drained soils. It is a robust choice for shaded parts of the garden or use as a houseplant.
I hope that you have enjoyed reading this guide on how to grow Japanese Holly Fern. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Fern growing guides: How to grow Macho Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, Asparagus fern, and Asplenium plants in the garden.
