Perennial · Dryopteridaceae family
soft shield fern
Polystichum setiferum
In short a 10-second read
Soft shield fern (perennial) grows to 0.3–0.91 m tall and 0.61–0.91 m wide when mature. It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 0.61–0.91 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in part shade to shade, in average soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts.
Planting
container plant: March–May, September–November
Winter protection
protect from winter wet
Overwintering
In winter it needs protection.
Before the first frosts: protect from winter wet.
- Protect from winter wet
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
Does soft shield fern tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does soft shield fern need?
At maturity 0.61–0.91 m wide and 0.3–0.91 m tall; recommended spacing 50 cm.
Does soft shield fern survive winter outdoors?
Yes, with protection: protect from winter wet.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 28 September 2026.
Show sources (15)
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox
- Foerster-Stauden, katalóg
- Gärtnerei Strickler, katalóg
- Bamberger Staudengarten
- Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder
- RHS Plant Finder (Hardiness, Soil Types)
- Wikidata (CC0) — Polystichum setiferum
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- RHS - How to grow perennial plants
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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