Foxtail Fern

SpringSummerFallWinterInvasive

9a–11bHardiness zone

Background

Outdoors in zones 9a and up, foxtail fern behaves nothing like the tidy houseplant it is farther north — it clumps, spreads by tuberous roots, and self-seeds readily from the small red berries that follow its inconspicuous white flowers. In Florida, where it escapes cultivation into natural areas, it is listed as invasive; plant it with that in mind, deadhead spent berries before birds distribute them further, and keep it out of beds that border conservation land or waterways.

Where it is welcome, it earns its keep as one of the toughest evergreen foliage plants for a Florida landscape — full sun to part shade, sandy soil, and long stretches without rain all suit it fine, and the arching bottle-brush plumes give structure to a bed year-round without ever needing deadheading for looks. Established clumps are drought tolerant enough to skip supplemental water outside of the driest stretches. The tradeoff for that toughness is vigor: divide congested clumps every couple of years to keep it in bounds, and stay ahead of seedlings coming up nearby.

Growing it indoors up north? See the indoor care guide — light, water, and the rhythm that keeps it flowering as a houseplant.

Care guide

Sunfull sun to part shade — part shade in the hottest inland Florida summers keeps the plumes from bleaching

WaterDrought tolerant once established; the tuberous roots store water, so it needs only occasional deep watering outside of extended dry spells

SoilTolerates sandy, poor, or rocky soil as long as it drains; rot sets in fast in soil that stays wet

Spacing2–3 feet — clumps widen steadily and are easiest to manage with room to spread

Height2–3 feet tall and wide

Zone9a – 11b

Invasive

Seasonal tasks

winter

overwinterAt the cold edge of zone 9a, mulch the root zone before a hard freeze; foliage that browns back usually resprouts from the roots

spring

watchWatch new clumps for spider mites in dry, dusty conditions and for volunteer seedlings from dropped berries

cutDivide congested clumps and pot on or replant the crowns

fall

watchDeadhead or remove ripening red berries before birds spread the seed

Pests

Spider Mites

Tetranychus urticae →

Symptoms

Fine stippling or bronzing on leaves, faint webbing on undersides, foliage drying out during hot, dry weather.

Treatment

Spray foliage with a strong jet of water to dislodge mites. Apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to leaf undersides; repeat every 5–7 days as needed.