Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jun 14, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum) is prized for elegantly arching fronds that blend silvery gray, green, and burgundy, especially vivid in cultivars like 'Pictum'. In NE Florida it performs best as a cool-season accent in deep shade, typically going dormant during peak summer heat; treat as a perennial in a protected, moist microclimate. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Semi-deciduous
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Moist, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
New foliage emerges. Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Foliage may begin to change or drop. Ideal planting window.
Dormant — drops foliage. May need protection below 25°F.
Care essentials
Grow in deep or dappled shade; in NE Florida's summer heat, morning light with full afternoon shade is essential — direct sun will scorch fronds. Choose the most sheltered, shaded spot in your landscape.
Keep soil consistently moist with 2–3 inches of organic mulch; water regularly during dry periods. This fern is sensitive to dry conditions and may go dormant in intense summer heat even with adequate moisture.
Plant in moist, humus-rich, acidic (pH 5.5–6.5) soil well-amended with compost to compensate for sandy Florida soils. Fertilize sparingly in spring and fall with a balanced slow-release fertilizer.
Similar needs
Arrowhead Plant
Shares 3 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, and acidic.
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Peacock Ginger
Shares 3 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, and loam.
Southern Shield Fern
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Swamp Twinflower
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Common questions
Is Japanese Painted Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Japanese Painted Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-2 feet × 1-2 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.