Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora
Ferns Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
A striking deciduous fern prized for its coppery-pink new fronds that gradually mature to glossy dark green. The vibrant color change inspired its common name, as the spring growth resembles autumn foliage. Highly ornamental and shade-tolerant, making it a garden favorite.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Partial shade (3-5 hrs)
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Water
Every 1-2 weeks
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Humidity
Moderate to high (50-70%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-25°C
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Soil
Well-draining, rich, loamy soil with organic matter, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5)
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Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during growing season; slow-release granular in spring
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Eastern Asia (Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan)
- 📏 Max height
- 60-90 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 45-75 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Non-flowering
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Non-flowering (produces spores)
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Copper, Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of rhizomes in early spring, or spore sowing in late summer
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Common issues
- Leaf scorch in too much sun, Crown rot from overwatering, Scale insects
💡 Care tips
- New fronds emerge in coppery-orange before maturing to green,Provides seasonal color change unusual for a fern,More drought-tolerant than most ferns once established,Evergreen in mild climates adding winter interest to shade gardens
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One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
