Cyrtomium fortunei

Fortune’s Holly Fern | Non-Native

Light: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water: Moderate
Size: 1–2 ft. tall × 1–1.5 ft. wide
Type: Evergreen perennial fern
Native Status: Non-native, native to eastern Asia
Garden Value: Deer and rabbit resistant

Easy Evergreen Texture for Shady Spaces

Fortune’s Holly Fern (Cyrtomium fortunei) is an attractive evergreen fern with arching fronds and distinctive leaflets that resemble holly leaves. Its soft green foliage adds year-round texture and structure to shady areas without taking up too much space.

Plant it in part shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil with good drainage. Too much direct sun can bleach the foliage, while poorly drained soil can lead to root rot. Its compact habit makes it a great choice for woodland gardens, shady borders, underplanting, and other protected areas.

Good to Know: Although attractive and easy to grow, Fortune’s Holly Fern is not native to South Carolina and has escaped cultivation in parts of the Southeast, including South Carolina. I’d avoid allowing it to spread into nearby natural areas.