Notice
During the hot summer months, all plants are shipped in full leaf and active growth. While we take
great care in packing, transit heat and confinement can cause temporary shipping shock such as minor
leaf wilt or yellowing. This is normal and recovery begins once plants are watered and acclimated
after arrival. For best results, unpack immediately upon delivery and keep plants well-watered in a
shaded area for several days before planting. We highly recommend buying 2nd day air service for all
Quart size plants and trees, so they will arrive faster during the heat of summer.
Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea
Regular price
$42.99
Zone Map
Plant Factory Direct
Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea
Description
Cinnamon Fern | Osmunda cinnamomea
BEST VALUE: Premium 1 Gallon — Landscape Ready
A finished, nursery grown specimen — professional landscaper quality, faster establishment, and immediate visual impact. This is the size serious gardeners choose.
A finished, nursery grown specimen — professional landscaper quality, faster establishment, and immediate visual impact. This is the size serious gardeners choose.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY STARTER: Premium Quart
Same genetics, same nursery grown quality — a smart entry point for gardeners who love a great deal and enjoy watching their plants grow.
Same genetics, same nursery grown quality — a smart entry point for gardeners who love a great deal and enjoy watching their plants grow.
FILL MY BOX & SAVE on Cinnamon Fern
1 Plant = Original Price
Buy 2 Cinnamon Ferns = Save 15%
Savings apply automatically at checkout.
1 Plant = Original Price
Buy 2 Cinnamon Ferns = Save 15%
Savings apply automatically at checkout.
Why Cinnamon Fern is Trending
- One of the top 2 cold-hardy landscape ferns used by professional designers nationwide
- Thrives where almost nothing else will — wet, shaded spots that challenge every other plant
- Dramatic two-tone frond display: emerald green arching fronds + iconic cinnamon-brown fertile fronds
- Native to American wetlands — naturally adapted, low-maintenance, and ecologically valuable
- Deer resistant, pet friendly, and cold hardy to Zone 3
What This Plant Does For You
That soggy corner by the downspout. The deep shade under the oak. The stream bank that washes out every spring. Cinnamon Fern transforms your garden's most difficult spots into lush, living focal points. Its fountain-like arching fronds create instant structure and year-round texture, while the signature cinnamon-colored fertile fronds add a dramatic vertical accent no other plant can replicate. You get a garden that looks intentional, layered, and professionally designed — without the effort.
Plant Highlights
- Botanical Name: Osmunda cinnamomea
- Hardiness Zones: 3–9
- Mature Height: 24"–36" (up to 5' in ideal conditions)
- Mature Width: 24"–48"
- Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained; tolerates wet conditions
- Water Needs: Moderate to high — prefers consistently moist soil
- Growth Rate: Moderate to rapid
- Fall Color: Reddish-orange and coppery-gold
- Deer Resistant: Yes | Pet Friendly: Yes | Pollinator: No
Add Cinnamon Fern to your cart now — and buy 2 to save 15% automatically at checkout.
Premium Features & Solutions
Most shade plants struggle in wet soil. Cinnamon Fern was born for it. This nursery grown native perennial solves the three hardest landscaping problems at once: deep shade, wet soil, and deer pressure. The 1 Gallon size arrives as a landscape-ready specimen with an established root system, so it settles in fast and delivers results in its first season. The Premium Quart offers the same proven genetics at a lower entry price — ideal for mass plantings or budget-conscious gardeners building out a shade garden over time.
Smart Growing Guide
Beginner Guide — Step by Step
- Choose a spot with partial to full shade and naturally moist or wet soil.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, same depth. Set the crown level with the soil surface.
- Backfill with native soil mixed with compost. Water deeply immediately after planting.
- Apply 2–3" of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Water deeply once or twice a week until established (first full growing season).
- In fall, leave fronds in place — they protect the crown and add winter interest.
- In spring, remove only dead or bent fronds. Never cut all foliage at once.
Advanced Guide — Optimization Tips
- For maximum frond size, plant in consistently moist to wet soil with a pH of 4.5–6.0.
- Fertilize annually in early spring with a slow-release acidic fertilizer (SR-18-5-10) or top-dress with compost.
- Use Moisture Maxx soil conditioner to extend moisture retention between waterings.
- Space plants 2–4 feet apart for naturalized mass plantings; 3–4 feet for specimen use.
- Excellent for rain gardens, bioswales, and stormwater management plantings.
- Divide clumps every 4–5 years in early spring to maintain vigor and expand your planting.
Pro Tips for Maximum Impact
- Plant in groups of 3 or 5 for a naturalistic woodland look that reads as intentional design.
- Pair with Hostas, Astilbe, or Ligularia for a layered shade garden that blooms in sequence.
- Use along pond edges, stream banks, or rain garden borders — this fern thrives where others drown.
- The cinnamon-colored fertile fronds dry beautifully and can be used in floral arrangements.
- Container-friendly: use in large pots on shaded patios for lush, low-maintenance greenery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I plant a Cinnamon Fern?
Plant in spring or fall with the crown level with the soil surface. Water deeply and add 2–3" of mulch to retain moisture. Choose moist, well-drained soil and keep it consistently damp while roots establish. Space plants 2–4 feet apart to accommodate mature spread.
Where does Cinnamon Fern grow best?
It thrives in partial to full shade in moist woodland gardens, rain gardens, and areas near ponds or streams. Hardy in Zones 3–9, it tolerates wet conditions but should not dry out for extended periods. Botanical name: Osmunda cinnamomea (also classified as Osmundastrum cinnamomeum).
What size will Cinnamon Fern reach at maturity?
Typically 2–3 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide, with potential to reach 5 feet in ideal conditions. Arching sterile fronds create a fountain-like shape; upright cinnamon-colored fertile fronds emerge from the center.
What is the difference between the Premium Quart and 1 Gallon size?
Both are nursery grown plants with the same genetics and quality. The 1 Gallon is a larger, landscape-ready specimen with a more established root system — it establishes faster and delivers visual impact sooner. The Premium Quart is a budget-friendly starter that grows into the same beautiful plant over time.
How does the Fill My Box savings work?
Buy 2 Cinnamon Ferns and save 15% automatically at checkout — no code needed. The discount applies to Cinnamon Fern plants in your order.
Is Cinnamon Fern deer resistant?
Yes. Cinnamon Fern is reliably deer resistant, making it an excellent choice for gardens in areas with heavy deer pressure.
Is Cinnamon Fern safe for pets?
Yes. Cinnamon Fern is considered pet friendly and non-toxic to dogs and cats.
Can Cinnamon Fern grow in containers?
Yes. Use a large container with consistent moisture and place in a shaded location. It makes a stunning patio or porch plant and can be overwintered in a protected area in colder zones.
Take Action Now
Add Cinnamon Fern to your cart today. Buy 2 and save 15% automatically at checkout.
Ordering & Shipping
Processing time: 1–3 business days. Orders placed after 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday ship the following Monday. We hold shipments during extreme heat (above 95°F) or cold (below 34°F) to ensure your plants arrive healthy. Not available in AK, HI, or PR.
Add Cinnamon Fern to your cart today. Buy 2 and save 15% automatically at checkout.
Ordering & Shipping
Processing time: 1–3 business days. Orders placed after 4:00 PM Wednesday through Sunday ship the following Monday. We hold shipments during extreme heat (above 95°F) or cold (below 34°F) to ensure your plants arrive healthy. Not available in AK, HI, or PR.
Note: The images and videos on our site are the best way to show off our products and show how good we are as growers. Depending on the season you buy, you may get a plant that is smaller or bigger than the picture shows. The plant might bloom like it does on our site, but it might not. We cut off the blooms most of the time because they don't ship well. When you buy our plants, think of them as an investment in your future garden, and enjoy the process of seeing it grow to its fullest.