Intermediate
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
2.5m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Onoclea sensibilis
Other names
Sensitive fern, Bead fern, Japanese ostrich fern, Ostrich fern
Genus
Onoclea Onoclea
Species
O. sensibilis - O. sensibilis is a deciduous fern with broad, pale green, lobed fronds.
Onoclea sensibilis is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Pale-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bog garden, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Roof terrace, Underplanting, Waterside, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in most cool, moist, light shade in slightly acid soil. Can also tolerate very wet sites.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Onoclea sensibilis
Other names
Sensitive fern, Bead fern, Japanese ostrich fern, Ostrich fern
Genus
Onoclea Onoclea
Species
O. sensibilis - O. sensibilis is a deciduous fern with broad, pale green, lobed fronds.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Spreading, Arching
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Pale-green in Summer
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 2.5m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bog garden, Cottage/Informal, Foliage only, Low Maintenance, Roof terrace, Underplanting, Waterside, Wildflower
Cultivation
Plant in most cool, moist, light shade in slightly acid soil. Can also tolerate very wet sites.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
M&G Investments, the title sponsor of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, commissioned designer Andy Sturgeon (Best in Show winner 2010 and 2016) to create this incredible garden. read more
By garden designer Charlotte Harris. 2017 marks a significant year for Royal Bank of Canada (RBC); not only is it the 10th year of the RBC Blue Water Project™, a wide-ranging, global… read more
By garden designer Sarah Eberle.The 2017 Hillier Chelsea Flower Show garden has been inspired by one simple word: Spring. read more
2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death in 1616. Hampton Court Palace and Shakespeare share a rich history together so where better to celebrate Shakespeare’s talent as… read more
By garden designer Caroline Comber. Taking inspiration from the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, designer Caroline Comber, hopes to emphasise the need for international participation in… read more
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login
DISCUSS THIS PLANT
This plant is featured at Chelsea Flower Show 2009
There is 1 active discussion about Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern)
View all discussions