Fern
Giant Leather Fern
Acrostichum danaeifolium
Traits
Varieties We Carry
StandardAcrostichum danaeifolium
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$14.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
WaterHigh
Mature size6-12 feet × 5-10 feet
About Giant Leather Fern
Acrostichum danaeifolium, giant leather fern, is one of the largest ferns in the world, native to coastal wetlands from Florida through tropical America, with bold, upright fronds that can exceed 10 feet in height. A native Florida species adapted to brackish and freshwater margins, it forms dramatic clumps in wet, tropical landscapes. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Acidic, Wet
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Giant Leather Fern tolerates full sun to part shade; in NE Florida it grows naturally in open wetlands and mangrove margins in full sun, but adapts to partially shaded moist areas equally well.
Water
Requires consistently wet to saturated soil; ideal for pond edges, low-lying rain gardens, and freshwater to brackish wetland margins. This Florida native is not drought-tolerant and must not be allowed to dry out.
Soil & Fertilizer
Thrives in mucky, organic-rich, acidic wet soils native to NE Florida's coastal and inland wetlands. No fertilizer is needed in natural wetland settings; in landscape use, a light application of slow-release fertilizer in spring supports vigorous growth.
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Common questions
Is Giant Leather Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Giant Leather Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 6-12 feet × 5-10 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.