The East Indian holly fern is a popular and unique rhizomatous, evergreen, herbaceous perennial in the Polypody family (Polypodiaceae). The species originates from China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. 'Variegata' is a variety that has glossy, lime green fronds that are deeply divided and have a wide yellow stripe down each leaflet. The genus name is derived from the Greek word arachne, that means spider, and it references the spidery aspect of the clusters of spore capsules. The specific epithet, simplicior , is Latin and means simple or unbranched. This plant prefers to be grown in either morning sun or part to full shade. It enjoys moist, acidic to neutral, and well-drained, rich organic soil. It can tolerate some wet soil. It is winter hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10. Plant in protected sites in cooler climates. The fern is propagated by root ball division. . This fern grows up to 1 to 2 feet tall and 1.5 to 3 feet wide, and it spreads by short, creeping rhizomes. It has stiff, upright, and waxy fronds. It remains erect well into the winter but is slow to begin new growth in spring. This eye-catching fern can be grown in shade gardens and in other areas with dappled to full shade including natural and woodland areas. It may also be grown inn hanging baskets or containers as an indoor ornamental houseplant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious insect or disease problems. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . More information on Arachniodes .
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
High Organic Matter
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
The leaves of the species are dark green with wavy segments with a yellow-green band running along the pinna axis. The blade is bipinnate with a plastic-like texture. ‘Variegata’ is a variegated form which features glossy, lime green fronds with widely spaced leaflets , and has a showy soft yellow stripe down the midrib of each lance-shaped leaflet.
Flower detail
Non-flowering
Fruit detail
No fruit; reproduces via spores
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
China to North Vietnam, and Korea, Central and Southern Japan
Distribution
Native: China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Japan, Korea, Tibet, and Vietnam. Introduced: Georgia and South Carolina