The golden male fern is an herbaceous perennial fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Its origin is Europe and Central Asia. It is semi-evergreen (in cold climates) to evergreen (in milder climates) and is easy to cultivate. The species (and subspecies) epithet is Latin for “similar” or “related” and reflects its overall similarity to Dryopteris filix-mas . Although ferns like shade, with adequate moisture the golden male fern can tolerate a fair amount of sun. Once established, it is a drought tolerant specimen. It likes clay or loamy soil that drains well. The fern can grow large: 2 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. This robust fern sits erect, forming a rosette of finely cut arching fronds originating at a stout rhizome. Its midrib (rachis) is shaggy and covered with golden brown scales. A good choice for a shade garden or in somewhat sunnier native areas or in woodland gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Dryopteris .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Lance-shaped blade; pinnate-pinnatified; leathery; small, dark spot at base of each pinna; pinnae are layered up the frond like stair steps; stipes and rachises are shaggy with golden brown scales