Southern Wood Fern
Dryopteris ludoviciana
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 19, 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 Southern Wood Fern
Dryopteris ludoviciana, southern wood fern, is a native North American fern found in the wetlands and moist forests of the southeastern United States, including Florida, with tall, semi-evergreen, dark green fronds that form an upright, vase-shaped clump. A robust and adaptable native fern well suited to wet or moist shaded landscapes in the South. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Loam, Sandy, Clay, Acidic, Moist, Wet, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Higher water demand in summer heat.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Grow in part shade to full shade. In NE Florida, full sun will scorch fronds; site under a canopy or on a north- or east-facing exposure. Tolerates dense shade well.
Prefers consistently moist to wet soils and performs best near streams, ponds, or in rain gardens in NE Florida. Tolerates periodic drought once established but should not be allowed to dry out completely. Mulch generously to conserve moisture in sandy soils.
Thrives in rich, moist, acidic soils; adapts to sandy to clay soils if kept consistently moist. Amend NE Florida sandy soils with generous organic matter. Light application of a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring is sufficient; heavy fertilization is unnecessary.
Similar needs
Macho Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Maidenhair Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Baby Tears
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Mecardonia
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Palm Grass
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
Strawberry Bush
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, high water, loam, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Southern Wood Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Southern Wood Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-4 feet × 2-3 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.