The autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is a popular evergreen houseplant known for its colorful foliage that transitions from coppery-orange when new to yellow-green as it matures. With its graceful arching fronds, autumn fern makes an excellent accent plant to add visual interest indoors.
👀 Overview
Native to eastern Asia, the autumn fern is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. It thrives in shady, humid conditions with fertile, acidic soil. This fern grows slowly, reaching mature heights of 18-24 inches tall and spreading 18-24 inches wide.
While autumn fern can tolerate some direct sun, especially when grown outdoors, it does best in bright, indirect light indoors. Consistent moisture is key for healthy plants, but avoid soggy soil which can lead to root rot. Moderate humidity around 50-70% is ideal.
| 📖 Common name | Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern, Copper Shield Fern |
| 🔬 Botanical name | Dryopteris erythrosora |
| 🫴 Care Difficulty level | Easy to Moderate |
| ☠️ Toxicity | Non-toxic to pets and humans |
| 💨 Air-purifying Qualities | Yes |
| 🌱 Soil Type and pH | Well-draining, acidic to neutral soil |
| ☀️ Sun Exposure | Partial shade to full shade |
| 🍪 Edibility | Not edible |
| 🌴 Plant type | Fern |
| 🍃 Foliage Type | Evergreen |
| 🌿 Color of leaves | Copper-red to green |
| 🌸 Flower color | N/A |
| 💥 Bloom time | N/A |
| 🚀 Growth Speed | Moderate |
| 📏 Mature Size | Up to 2 feet tall and wide |
| 🔄 Life Cycle | Perennial |
| 🌍 Hardiness zones | 5-9 |
| 🗺️ Native area | Eastern Asia |
💚 Autumn Fern Care
Caring for autumn fern as a houseplant involves providing the right growing conditions indoors to mimic its natural habitat. Here are the key factors for success:
☀️ Light ☀️
Autumn fern thrives in medium to bright indirect light indoors. North or east-facing windows are ideal. Direct hot sunlight will scorch the foliage, causing it to yellow, wilt and potentially die. Filtered sunlight through a sheer curtain is suitable for a few hours daily.
Keep the plant away from direct southern exposure. If the only option is a west-facing window, use sheer curtains to diffuse the intense afternoon sun. Rotate the plant occasionally so all sides receive equal light.
💧 Water
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Autumn fern prefers constantly moist, but not soggy soil. Use room temperature filtered or distilled water. Water thoroughly until it drains from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Remove any water in the saucer after 30 minutes so the pot is not left sitting in water. Droughts or uneven watering can cause foliage to brown and dry around the edges.
🪴 Soil
A fertile, acidic potting mix works best. Look for a mix containing compost, peat moss, bark or coconut coir to help retain moisture. You can make your own by combining 2 parts peat moss or coconut coir with 1 part perlite or bark for drainage.
The ideal pH range is 5.5-6.5. Add horticultural charcoal, peat moss or composted pine bark to help acidify the soil if needed. Re-pot every 2-3 years in fresh soil to replenish nutrients.
🍼 Fertilizer
Feed monthly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Look for a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10 formula. Reduce feeding in fall and winter. Flush the soil monthly by watering thoroughly to prevent fertilizer salt buildup.
🌡️ Temperature
Daytime temperatures of 65-80°F (18-27°C) are suitable. Cooler nighttime temps around 50-65°F (10-18°C) are preferred. Avoid cold drafts which can damage the foliage. Move the plant to a warmer location in winter if needed.
💦 Humidity
Moderate humidity levels between 50-70% suit the autumn fern best. Use a humidifier nearby or place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water to increase moisture in the air. Mist the plant daily, focusing on the undersides of the fronds.
📃 Types of Autumn Fern
There are a few popular autumn fern varieties to choose from:
- Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Brilliance’ – Vibrant reddish-orange new growth
- Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Prolifica’ – Finely divided fronds with pink new growth
- Dryopteris erythrosora ‘Purpurascens’ – Cinnamon colored emerging fronds
Blooming/Flowers
Like all ferns, the autumn fern does not produce flowers. It reproduces via spores on the undersides of the fronds instead of seeds. The round, fuzzy spore packets called sori are cinnamon brown in color. They appear in late summer into fall.
🪴 Potting and Repotting Autumn Fern
Repot in early spring before new growth emerges. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the current container to avoid overpotting. Make sure the pot has drainage holes.
Use an acidic, fertile potting mix amended with compost or peat moss. Gently remove the fern from its old pot and loosen any circling roots before placing it in the new container. Fill with soil, covering the root ball and rhizomes completely. Press firmly and water well.
✂️ Pruning Autumn Fern
Remove any dead or damaged fronds at the base throughout the year to maintain an attractive appearance. Sterilize pruning shears in rubbing alcohol first to prevent disease transmission.
To control size, prune back overgrown fronds by 1/3 their length in early spring. Never cut into the crown which can kill the plant.
🌱 How to Propagate Autumn Fern
Propagate autumn fern by division in early spring:
- Remove the entire plant from its pot. Shake off excess soil from the roots.
- Use a shovel or knife to slice through the root ball, dividing it into sections. Each should have 3-5 fronds.
- Re-pot the divisions in small pots using well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil evenly moist while new roots establish.
Another option is spore propagation, though this complex, lengthy process is not always successful indoors.
🐛 Common Pests
Autumn fern is relatively pest-resistant but may be affected by:
- Mealybugs – Cottony white insects that feed on plant sap. Wipe off with alcohol or spray neem oil.
- Aphids – Green, red or black soft-bodied insects that cluster on new growth. Knock off with a strong stream of water or apply insecticidal soap.
- Scale – Hard, flattened, disc-shaped insects adhered to leaves or stems. Rub off physically and treat with horticultural oil.
- Slugs, snails – Chew irregular holes in leaves. Remove by hand or use iron phosphate bait.
🩺 Common Problems With Autumn Fern
- Brown leaf tips – Cause is low humidity. Mist frequently and use a humidifier.
- Yellowing fronds – Due to too much direct sun. Move to a shadier spot. Can also indicate overwatering.
- Leaf drop – Result of underwatering. Increase frequency.
- Root rot – Caused by overly wet soil. Allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Frond scorch – Leaves dry and die from too much sunlight. Keep out of direct sun.
🖼️ Display Ideas
- Show off the graceful form by placing on a pedestal table or plant stand near a bright window.
- Let the arching fronds trail over the edges of a bookshelf, side table or mantle.
- Accent with rocks, moss or flowering plants like begonias or impatiens in a woodland-themed terrarium display.
👍 Pro Tips for Healthy Growth
- Keep evenly moist at all times – underwatering even once can kill this fern.
- Mist frequently to boost humidity. Group with other tropical plants.
- Avoid direct hot sun which will burn the sensitive foliage.
- Turn the plant every few weeks to encourage even, upright growth.
- Keep away from heating and cooling vents to prevent draft damage.
❓ FAQ
With proper care, autumn ferns typically live for 3-5 years indoors. Ensure you meet its moisture, light and humidity needs for maximum longevity.
Yes, frequent misting is highly beneficial for autumn ferns. The foliage prefers humid conditions. Focus on misting the undersides of the fronds where the spores are located.
Brown fronds are usually caused by dry air, underwatering, or too much sun. Keep the soil evenly moist, mist daily, and avoid direct sun to prevent leaf browning.
📝 Final Thoughts
With its gracefully arching fronds in stunning colors, autumn fern is a unique addition to indoor plant collections. Though slow growing, this hardy evergreen fern is relatively easy to maintain when you recreate its preferred growing conditions – bright, indirect light, moderate humidity and moist, fertile, acidic soil. Provide consistent care, and this eye-catching plant will thrive for years indoors.
📚 Further Reading
📗 Learn more about Autumn Fern
📚 References
📘 Fern Autumn – Plant of the Week – University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
📘 Library of Congress Item 2003664036 – The Library of Congress.
📘 Publication FP189 – University of Florida IFAS Extension.
📘 Ferns of Australia – Australian National Botanic Gardens.
