WashingtonGardener: Japanese Painted Fern Plant Profile

Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Japanese Painted Fern Plant Profile

Japanese Painted Ferns Plant Profile

Japanese Painted Ferns (Athyrium niponicum) are perennial plants that highlight shady spots in the garden.

They are native to eastern Asia and are hardy to zones 3 to 8. The mature size is about 18 inches tall and wide.

The silvery highlights are the hallmark characteristic of this beautiful fern, but many cultivars also have red mid-ribs such as the award-winning cultivar ‘Pictum’. The cultivar 'Silver Falls' received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Other popular cultivars include ‘Ghost’ and ‘Burgundy Lace’.

Japanese Painted Ferns make great garden accents and look good featured in containers.

Ferns do not have flowers so they do not attract pollinators, but they do assist wildlife by providing shelter and hiding spots.

They are deer-proof and have few pests. They thrive in consistently moist, well-draining, acidic soils with lightly dappled to full shade Japanese Painted Ferns also appreciate a top-dressing of composted leaves.

These ferns are low-care. By late winter, you will want to cut them back though as they will look a bit ratty and tattered. Divide Japanese Painted Ferns in early spring just as new fiddleheads emerge or in the early fall. Do so every few years to maintain the plant’s vigor.

Japanese Painted Ferns - You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Editing by Koree Perry

Photos, Videos, Text, and Audio by Kathy Jentz

➤ If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our Youtube channel (thank you!)

➤Remember to TURN ON notifications to know when our new videos are out

➤ FIND Washington Gardener Magazine ONLINE

~ WashingtonGardener.blogspot.com

~ http://twitter.com/WDCGardener

~ https://www.instagram.com/wdcgardener/

~ Facebook.com/WashingtonGardenerMagazine

~ Podcast: GardenDC