ostrich fern

Ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris 'Jumbo') need regular watering to keep them looking their best. During the summer, water them every 2 to 3 days, applying enough water to moisten the top 6-7 inches of soil and allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. In cooler months, water once a week, being careful to not over-water. The key is to look for signs of wilting or yellowing in the fronds to determine if a watering is needed.

Ostrich ferns require a moderate amount of direct sunlight to thrive. They should be placed in a location that receives dappled sunlight for most of the day. During the Spring and Summer months, they need 2 to 4 hours of morning or late afternoon sun and preferably in filtered sunlight. However, in the Fall and Winter months, they need less direct sunlight, so it is best to place them in a slightly shadier spot. When kept in temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, the fern will stay evergreen.

Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris 'Jumbo') is best pruned during the early spring season, before the new shoots appear. Pruning at this time of year will encourage new, vigorous growth and keep your plant looking its best. It is important to not prune too much, as this can damage the delicate fiddleheads. For best results, only remove any dead or discolored fronds and any that may be disease-ridden. If your fern is becoming too large for its designated space, you can carefully trim the longest fronds to keep the plant within its boundaries. For general maintenance and garden design purposes, prune your ostrich fern in the early spring before new fronds have started to emerge and again at the end of summer, once the fronds have turned brown. Do not over-prune, as this may encourage weak growth and discoloration in the plant.