Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum Cinnamomeum)

Latin: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Zones: 4-9

Other Common Name: Cinnamon Fern

Mature Height: 3 to 5 feet tall

Soil/Climate: Thrives in moist, acidic soils with high organic content. Prefers part to full shade but can tolerate some sun in consistently wet environments. Native to wetlands, bogs, and streambanks across eastern North America, it is highly adaptable to temperate climates with high humidity.

Notes: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum gets its name from the cinnamon-colored fertile fronds that appear in the center of the plant in spring. This deciduous fern offers beautiful texture and vertical interest in woodland gardens, rain gardens, or shaded borders. It’s a low-maintenance plant that spreads slowly via rhizomes and forms graceful, vase-shaped clumps over time.

Wild Life: Provides excellent cover and habitat for amphibians and small mammals. Its dense growth supports moisture retention and soil stability in naturalized areas. Deer and rabbits generally avoid it, making it a reliable choice for wildlife-friendly but pest-resistant gardens.

Cold Stream Farm supplies the Cinnamon Fern which are grown as bare root divisions and sold both wholesale and retail with no minimum order.

Additional information on Osmundastrum cinnamomeum can be found on the link: USDA / NRCS PLANTS Database.