Water
Keep the soil consistently moist to wet. This fern thrives in boggy conditions and can tolerate shallow standing water. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, especially during the growing season.
Also known as Marsh Fern · Meadow Fern
Eastern Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris) is a deciduous fern native to North America and Eurasia, forming colonies of upright fronds in wet habitats.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Prefers full sun to partial shade.
100% intensity
Tolerates a range of light conditions but performs best with adequate moisture.
Keep soil consistently moist to wet.
100% intensity
Thrives in boggy conditions and can tolerate shallow standing water.
Adaptable to various soil types, but thrives in moist, humus-rich, acidic to neutral soils.
50% intensity
Grows best in moderate temperatures.
100% intensity
Ideal range is 15-24 °C, tolerates cooler conditions.
Outdoor, Aquatic
50% intensity
Light feeding is sufficient.
100% intensity
A balanced fertilizer in spring or compost is beneficial; avoid over-fertilizing.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Keep the soil consistently moist to wet. This fern thrives in boggy conditions and can tolerate shallow standing water. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, especially during the growing season.
Remove dead or damaged fronds at any time. In late winter or early spring, cut back all old growth to make way for new fronds. This helps maintain a tidy appearance and encourages healthy new growth.
Easily propagated by division of rhizomes in spring. Spores can also be used, but this is a slower method. Division is the most common and effective way to increase plant numbers.
As a perennial that spreads via rhizomes, repotting is typically done when dividing the plant to manage its spread or to refresh the soil. This is best done in early spring before new growth begins.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Eastern Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris)
Where Eastern Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Polypodiopsida |
| Order | Polypodiales |
| Family | Thelypteridaceae |
| Genus | Thelypteris |
| Species | Thelypteris palustris |
Similar in genus Thelypteris
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
