How to grow Ferns in the UK
No flowers - just lovely green fronds that uncurl like a snail shell in spring. Perfect for deep shade.
- DifficultyEasy peasy
- WhereBeds or Pots
- Sunshade or part shade
- Grows to60cm
- Spacing50cm
- Time to first pickabout 6 weeks
- Typeperennial
When to sow, plant and harvest ferns
| Plant | mid March to late May or mid September to late October |
|---|---|
| In flower | early May to mid October |
Dates are for central England. Sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland, and up to two weeks earlier in the south and south west. Get the dates for your postcode.
Planting it
- Water your new plants in their pots first
- Dig a hole a bit bigger than the pot
- Tip the plant out gently, holding the leaves, not the stem
- Pop it in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well
- Space the plants about 50cm apart each way
Top tips for growing ferns
- Watch the new fronds uncurl in spring - like a dinosaur garden!
Soil and feeding
Poor soil - really!. Nasturtiums flower best in poor soil. Feed them and you get all leaves and no flowers.
Harvesting and eating ferns
Enjoy the fronds. Cut off old brown ones in late winter.
Saving your own ferns seed
Autumn or early spring.
- Dig up a big clump
- Pull or cut it into two or three pieces, each with roots and shoots
- Replant them - more plants for free, and the old one grows better too
Where to buy ferns plants
Thompson & Morgan · Suttons · Amazon
These are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Read more.
Ferns questions
When do I plant out ferns?
Plant ferns out from mid March to late May or mid September to late October.
When can I enjoy ferns?
Ferns is ready from early May to mid October. Enjoy the fronds. Cut off old brown ones in late winter.
How long do ferns take to grow?
Roughly 6 weeks from sowing or planting until the first harvest.
Are ferns easy to grow?
Ferns are rated 'easy peasy' for beginners, and can be grown in the ground or a raised bed or in pots and containers.
Plan your own garden: it tells you what to do and when, for your postcode.
Start growing - it's free