Christmas fern is a rhizomatous, densely scaly-scruffy, evergreen herbaceous perennial in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to a wide area of eastern North America, from Canada to northeastern Mexico. The species epithet is Latin for “like Acrostichum,” which is a genus of tropical ferns in the ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae).
 
It is best grown in organically rich, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. This fern spreads very slowly, and its clumps will increase in size over time.
Height: 12-36 in
Width:  24-36 in
Soil Conditions:  Moist/Well Drained
Hardiness Zone:  3 TO 8
Shade to Part Sun