Southern woodfern is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to the Southeastern United States, but it is uncommon in North Carolina. The species epithet is Latin for “of Louisiana.” Even though it is found in wet areas, southern wood fern will adapt to average garden conditions in moist fertile soils in partial shade to full shade. It can grow in a variety of soil types from sandy to clay to loamy rich organic matter. It can also handle neutral or acidic pH soil. It remains evergreen in protected, mild areas. The shiny upright leathery green fronds are appealing. This fern is a slow to moderate grower and will form vase-shaped clumps that slowly expand by short rhizomes. Use this plant in a shade garden, as a ground cover, in a woodland setting and along streams, bogs and ponds. 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); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
The plant has both sterile and fertile dark green triangular fronds. The fertile ones are larger, (up to 3 feet in length) grow more upright, have narrower pennae and are narrower in overall shape. The sterile fronds are half as long and tend to grow outward. Leaflets are opposite on the stem
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores on the underside of the fertile fronds.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Green stems are covered in brown scales on the lower portion