Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are not only stunning outdoor plants but can also make excellent houseplants when given the right conditions. This article serves as your ultimate guide to ostrich fern care indoors. These ferns can grow up to 6 feet tall and have gracefully arching fronds that resemble ostrich plumes, hence their common name. Hardy in zones 3-7, ostrich ferns can thrive indoors with the proper care, adding a dramatic, tropical look to any indoor space. This guide covers everything you need to know about successfully growing ostrich ferns as houseplants.
👀 Overview
Ostrich ferns are native to cool, shady streambanks and forests in eastern North America, eastern Asia, and northern Europe. They grow from short rhizomes but spread rapidly via underground stolons, forming large colonies in ideal growing conditions.
The fronds of ostrich ferns emerge in spring as tightly coiled fiddleheads. The fiddleheads unfurl into the large, vase-shaped sterile fronds that give the plant its ornamental appeal. Later in summer, shorter fertile fronds emerge from the center of the plant. The fertile fronds bear spores on their undersides for reproduction.
Some key facts about ostrich ferns:
- Mature Size: 3-6 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
- Light: Part sun to full shade
- Soil: Rich, moist, acidic
- Hardiness Zone: 3-7
- Native Area: North America, Asia, Europe
When grown as houseplants, ostrich ferns require humid conditions, abundant moisture, and lower light levels than many houseplants. With the right care though, they can add a dramatically bold, tropical look to indoor spaces.
| 📖 Common name | Ostrich Fern, Shuttlecock Fern, Fiddlehead Fern |
| 🔬 Botanical name | Matteuccia struthiopteris |
| 🫴 Care Difficulty level | Moderate |
| ☠️ Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets and humans |
| 💨 Air-purifying Qualities | Yes |
| 🌱 Soil Type and pH | Rich, moist, acidic to neutral |
| ☀️ Sun Exposure | Partial to full shade |
| 🍪 Edibility | Fiddleheads are edible |
| 🌴 Plant type | Fern |
| 🍃 Foliage Type | Deciduous |
| 🌿 Color of leaves | Green |
| 🌸 Flower color | N/A |
| 💥 Bloom time | N/A |
| 🚀 Growth Speed | Moderate |
| 📏 Mature Size | Up to 6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide |
| 🔄 Life Cycle | Perennial |
| 🌍 Hardiness zones | 3-7 |
| 🗺️ Native area | North America, Europe, Asia |
💚 Ostrich Fern Care
Caring for ostrich ferns as houseplants involves providing the right growing conditions and occasional maintenance. Here are the key aspects of ostrich fern care indoors.
☀️ Light ☀️
In their native habitat, ostrich ferns grow in partial to full shade. When grown indoors, they do best in bright, indirect light. Southern or western exposures filtered through sheer curtains are ideal.
Too much direct sun will scorch the fronds, causing them to yellow or brown. Make sure to keep ostrich ferns out of direct sunlight streaming through unfiltered windows.
If light levels are too low indoors, ostrich fern growth may become leggy and stunted as the plant reaches for light. Rotating the plant occasionally can help prevent uneven growth due to inconsistent lighting.
💧 Water
Ostrich ferns have very high moisture needs. Their native habitat along stream banks and marshes provides constantly damp soil. Replicating these conditions is key when growing ostrich ferns indoors.
The soil should be kept evenly moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom of the pot. The large fronds transpire a lot of moisture, so ostrich ferns may need watering every 2-3 days.
Use room temperature filtered water if possible. Let water reach room temperature before watering, as cold water can shock the roots.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes and never allow the roots to sit in water. Poor drainage can lead to root rot.
🪴 Soil
Ostrich ferns need rich, acidic, moisture-retentive soil when grown as houseplants. A quality potting mix formulated for ferns is ideal. Or make your own mix using equal parts peat moss, compost, and perlite or coarse sand.
Soil pH should be between 5.0 and 6.5. Use an acidic fertilizer formulated for ferns to help maintain the proper pH.
Re-potting annually in fresh potting mix will keep the soil nutrient levels high. Gently loosen and divide the root mass to stimulate new growth each spring.
🍼 Fertilizer
While fertile soil is important, ostrich ferns are sensitive to over-fertilization. They are light feeders that extract ample nutrients from an organically rich potting mix.
Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks during active growth in spring and summer. Dilute fertilizers more heavily than the label recommends to avoid fertilizer burn.
Discontinue fertilizing in fall and winter when plants enter dormancy. Resume diluted applications the following spring when new growth appears.
🌡️ Temperature
As cold-hardy plants, ostrich ferns can tolerate freezing temperatures when grown outdoors. Indoors, they thrive in average home temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C).
Avoid drafty areas that may expose the plant to temperature fluctuations. The broad fronds are sensitive to cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents.
In winter, keep the plant away from cold windows. Consider providing supplemental humidity with a humidifier to prevent dry air from damaging the fronds.
💦 Humidity
Humidity is very important for proper ostrich fern growth and health. These ferns naturally grow near streams and require high humidity levels of 60-80%.
Use a humidifier to increase humidity. Group plants together to create a humid microclimate. Mist the fronds frequently to supplement humidity. Make sure the plant has good air circulation to allow the fronds to dry out between mistings.
Signs of low humidity include dried out leaf tips and margins or a grayish cast to the foliage. Increase humidity immediately if you notice these signs of stress.
📃 Types of Ostrich Fern
Types of Ostrich Ferns
There are a few different varietals of ostrich fern to choose from:
- Matteuccia struthiopteris – The species form with green fronds. Grows up to 6 feet tall.
- Matteuccia struthiopteris ‘The King’ – A dwarf cultivar that reaches 3 feet tall and wide.
- Matteuccia struthiopteris ‘Jumbo’ – A large cultivar that can reach 8 feet tall.
- Matteuccia struthiopteris ‘Variegata’ – Features fronds edged and streaked with white variegation. Grows to 4 feet tall.
All varieties have the same care needs indoors. The King is a good choice for smaller spaces, while Jumbo makes the boldest statement. Variegata adds unique coloration. Grow the species form for the classic ostrich fern look.
Blooms and Flowers
Like all ferns, ostrich ferns do not bloom. They reproduce via spores rather than flowers and seeds. The fertile fronds that emerge in summer bear clusters of sporangia containing the spores on their undersides.
The sporangia may resemble tiny flowers or dots but do not produce any actual blooms. Allowing the spores to develop in indoor plants is not necessary for their health. However, removing the fertile fronds after they turn brown can improve the plant’s appearance.
🪴 Potting and Repotting Ostrich Fern
Choosing a pot: Ostrich ferns have spreading root systems and broad fronds, so they need wide, shallow pots to accommodate their growth habit. Choose a pot that is 4-6 inches wider than the plant. Terra cotta, ceramic, or plastic pots all work well. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
Potting: Use a rich, acidic potting mix formulated specifically for ferns. Plant the fern at the same level it was growing in its nursery pot. Spread and loosen the roots but don’t bury the rhizome too deeply. Gently tamp down the soil and water thoroughly after planting.
Repotting: Ostrich ferns should be repotted annually in fresh soil. Repot in early spring before growth resumes. Choose a pot one size larger and gently divide the root mass to stimulate new growth. Trim off any dead roots before repotting.
✂️ Pruning Ostrich Fern
Pruning is not essential but can improve the appearance of overgrown plants. To prune:
- Remove dead or damaged fronds at any time by cutting them off at the base of the stem.
- Cut back old outer fronds in early spring to allow new growth to emerge from the center.
- Prune out congested growth to open up the plant and improve air circulation.
- Never prune more than 1/3 of the live fronds at one time to avoid stressing the plant.
Avoid pruning fronds in the fall. Allow them to remain for winter interest. Then trim off dead fronds in early spring before new growth appears.
🌱 How to Propagate Ostrich Fern
Ostrich ferns are easy to propagate by division. The best time is early spring as growth resumes.
- Carefully remove the entire plant from its pot. Loosen and divide the root mass using your hands or a knife.
- Each division should have 3-5 healthy fronds and an established root system. Trim off any dead roots.
- Replant divisions in pots using acidic, fertile potting soil for ferns. Keep the soil evenly moist while plants establish.
New plants may take 1-2 seasons to reach their mature size. But dividing ostrich ferns helps control their spread and maintains their vigor.
🐛 Common Pests
Ostrich ferns have few pest problems indoors, but may be affected by:
- Aphids – These tiny sap-sucking insects cluster on young fronds and causes distorted growth. Control with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
- Mealybugs – Cottony masses on stems or rhizomes. Wipe off with alcohol if possible, or use an insecticide.
- Mites – Microscopic pests that cause stippling and discoloration. Mist plants and wipe leaves to control.
- Scale – Hard bumps on fronds that distort growth. Scrape off bumps, treat with horticultural oil.
Keeping plants healthy with proper care is the best defense against pests. Isolate affected plants to prevent spreading.
🩺 Common Problems With Ostrich Fern
Understanding common ostrich fern problems allows you to quickly identify and correct any issues:
- Leaf drop – Dramatic leaf drop usually indicates too little humidity or underwatering. Improve humidity and moisture retention in soil.
- Brown leaf tips – Dry air causes browning along leaf margins. Increase humidity levels.
- Leaf yellowing – Yellowing typically occurs from too much light. Move plant to a shadier spot.
- Weak growth – Leggy, stunted plants need more light. Slow growth can also indicate overwatering.
- Root rot – Caused by overly wet soil. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
🖼️ Display Ideas
Ostrich ferns can make a dramatic focal point or background specimen in indoor spaces. Here are some tips for displaying them:
- Place in a bright, high-humidity area like a bathroom or laundry room.
- Situate in front of a bright, north-facing window as a bold background plant.
- Grow in a large container surrounded by lower houseplants like prayer plants or pothos.
- Allow to grow emersed from a water feature or fountain for tropical appeal. Keep the crown above water.
- Grow in a conservatory or enclosed porch to provide the needed humidity levels.
👍 Pro Tips for Healthy Growth
Follow these pro tips and tricks to keep your indoor ostrich ferns thriving:
- Mist fronds daily to supplement humidity. Use room temperature filtered water.
- Group plants to raise humidity through transpiration. Space for air circulation.
- Provide bright, indirect light from sheer curtained windows. Rotate for even growth.
- Water when the top few inches of soil are dry to the touch. Never let soil dry out.
- Re-pot annually in fresh acidic potting soil to replenish nutrients.
- Wipe fronds periodically with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free.
- Remove dead fronds promptly to improve appearance and air circulation.
- Fertilize monthly during the growing season at 1/2 strength. Discontinue in winter.
❓ FAQ
Given proper care, lighting, and humidity, indoor ostrich ferns can reach 4-6 feet tall at maturity. Their height indoors is largely dependent on the growing conditions you provide.
Yes, misting is highly recommended to provide the high humidity ostrich ferns prefer. Mist fronds daily, but allow them to fully dry between mistings to prevent disease.
Use a rich, acidic, moisture-retentive potting mix made for ferns. Or create your own mix using peat moss, compost, and perlite. Maintain a pH between 5.0-6.5.
Use a humidifier, mist frequently, and group plants together. Place on a pebble tray filled with water. Grow in a naturally humid room like a bathroom if possible.
Yellow fronds usually indicate too much sunlight. Ostrich ferns need bright indirect light indoors. Move to a shadier spot if fronds are yellowing or scorched.
Repot ostrich ferns annually in the early spring. Choose a pot one size larger and gently divide the rhizomes and roots before repotting.
📝 Final Thoughts
With their gracefully arching fronds, ostrich ferns make a stunning addition to indoor spaces when provided with the right care. While they require bright, indirect light and consistent humidity, these are easily accomplished with sheer curtains, misting, and pebble trays. Their lush, tropical look can transform any room into an indoor jungle getaway. With a shallow pot of rich soil, frequent watering, and diligent humidity, ostrich ferns can thrive indoors for years of enjoyment.
📚 Further Reading
📗 Learn more about Ostrich Ferns
📚 References
📘 Matteuccia Struthiopteris PDF – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
📘 CDC Article – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
📘 PubMed Article 8078456 – National Center for Biotechnology Information.
📘 Ostrich Fern – Matteuccia Struthiopteris – U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
