Advanced
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Polystichum rigens (Rigid holly fern)
2 hours care
per year
per year
0.4m
Max height
Max height
0.6m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Polystichum rigens
Other names
Rigid holly fern, Tassel fern, Rigid tassel fern
Genus
Polystichum Polystichum
Species
P. rigens - P. rigens is a compact, mound-forming, evergreen fern with arching, triangular, leather, bipinnate, mid-green fronds with stiff, pointed tips.
Polystichum rigens is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Fronds are aromatic.
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming, Compact, Arching
Flower
Insignificant or absent in All seasons
Foliage
Mid-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds before new ones unfurl.
Propagation methods
Division, Spores
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Polystichum rigens (Rigid holly fern) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in a cool, moist, lightly shaded site. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet. Will be deciduous in areas with cold winters.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, 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
Polystichum rigens
Other names
Rigid holly fern, Tassel fern, Rigid tassel fern
Genus
Polystichum Polystichum
Species
P. rigens - P. rigens is a compact, mound-forming, evergreen fern with arching, triangular, leather, bipinnate, mid-green fronds with stiff, pointed tips.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Fronds are aromatic.
Habit
Cushion or Mound Forming, Compact, Arching
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
Mid-green in All seasons
General care
Pruning
Remove dead or damaged fronds before new ones unfurl.
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
Polystichum rigens (Rigid holly fern) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.6m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders, Low Maintenance, Underplanting, Wildflower, Foliage only
Cultivation
Grow in a cool, moist, lightly shaded site. Tolerates full sun if soil is kept consistently moist. Protect crowns from excessive winter wet. Will be deciduous in areas with cold winters.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, 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, Zone 5
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, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
GARDENS WITH THIS PLANT
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