Ostrich Fern

Like all ferns, Ostrich ferns are plants that will spread fast. Ferns will hit the spring time and burst into action, they will grow quickly and they will also spread relatively quickly as well. Of course this doesn’t happen overnight but do be aware of your ferns spreading.

If left unchecked, Ostrich ferns will spread along the Earth and can soon overrun a garden or nature reserve. But don’t worry, they’re not going to run out of control straight away. You should be able to see your ferns spreading and cut them back as and when is necessary.

If you like a slightly wild look to your garden then feel free to let these ferns spread for a while before chopping them back. However, if you want easy maintenance then definitely stay on top of cutting back your ferns or you will find they spread faster and faster. Another point to consider is that even if you like ferns in your garden others might not be so keen. And if a fern spreads then it is possible for them to spread into other neighbours gardens and past the boundaries of your land. So make sure you keep an eye on this and don’t let your Ostrich fern become invasive.

The time frame that ferns spread can be remarkable quick. In one growing season you may notice ferns sprouting up everywhere. So as a gardener it’s your responsibility to make sure you have this all under control.

Another common question our readers ask us is are Ostrich Ferns poisonous to dogs? The good answer is no they’re not but make sure you check out the article as we tell you which ferns are poisonous to our pets.

So how fast do ostrich ferns spread? The answer  is quick enough to be a problem but too quick to stop you from being able to cut them back before the problem gets out of control.

An Ostrich Fern under the right conditions can grow up to between three and six feet which can make them quite a striking feature in your garden. Luckily ferns tend to grow quite well by themselves without your help. They will often thrive in the wild and take over where other plants originally were before dying back in the winter months.

But it’s not just a questions of how big do Ostrich Ferns get? but also how fast do ostrich ferns spread? As the spread of these plants can also affect the look and feel of your garden, especially if they spread enough to take over the space.

If you want to ensure that your plants grow well and are able to reach their maximum height then there are some things you can do to help them.

First make sure that they are watered regularly. Ostrich ferns are thirsty plants and will require a lot of water. If they’re outside then the rain should do much of this work for you but make sure you water them if you experience a dry spell. If they’re indoors then you will have to water them regularly.

Next is about ensuring that they’re receiving the right amount of light. Like all plants Ostrich Ferns need light to survive but they tend to need less light than other plants. Opt for bright indirect light or even shade for these ferns. A bit of exposure to direct sunlight should be fine but they don’t want to be sitting under the suns rays all day long.

Next think about fertilising your plants to help them grow but be aware that ferns can be sensitive to fertiliser. One way to overcome this is to water them first and then fertilise them so that the roots soak up the water first. Also be sure to dilute your plant feed so it’s not as strong.

So to summarise how big do Ostrich Ferns get? Between 3 to 6 feet but that will all depend on how you look after them, how much light they receive, how much they’re watered and whether or not they’re fertilised.

The Ostrich Fern is not toxic to dogs and cats so you can keep them in your home or garden without much concern. They also aren’t toxic to humans so you don’t need to worry about them having around your children who will likely pick things up and put them in their mouths.

But be very careful, because even though the Ostrich Fern isn’t poisonous to dogs there are many other ferns that are. Don’t just assume that because one fern is safe they all are. Some ferns can be incredibly dangerous to your pets and can cause nasty complications if ingested.

Some of the ferns that are dangerous to your pets are:

• Asparagus fern
• Lace fern
• Sprengeri fern
• Plumosa fern
• Racemose asparagus
• Emerald feather
• Shatavari

If you pet ingests any of these it can be very serious for them and you should take them to see a vet immediately. To avoid them ingesting these ferns rethink about owning them if you have a pet and if it’s vital you have one then think very carefully about the placement of your fern to avoid any nasty accidents.

Another useful question to help you with your fern placement is how much sun can ostrich ferns take? As this can significantly impact where you choose to place your fern.

It is also possible that your pet may ingest these ferns on a walk so be sure to know what your dog is eating or sniffing to make sure they don’t eat anything that could be dangerous for them.

So to summarise are ostrich ferns poisonous to dogs? No they are not, and in fact they can be edible for humans however there are lots of other different types of ferns that can be very dangerous for dogs so make sure that you are able to keep these ferns away from your pooch.

Ostrich Ferns just like many other type of ferns prefer to live their life in the shade. They don’t like bright direct sunlight as the rays can scorch their fronds. Instead they like to grow under the shelter of other plants and in the shade.

As these plants don’t tend to grow too big, are easy to trim and normally grow under the canopy of other plants anyway it shouldn’t be too difficult to keep them out of the sun. If you’re planting an Ostrich Fern in your garden then try to plant it where it will receive shade from a wall or fence or where it will be able to grow up underneath other plants in the area.

Another consideration is you’re planting one in your garden is to think how big do ostrich ferns get? Will you have the space for them? Remember that a garden will look beautiful if you give it lots of different levels and ferns can be a great way to achieve this.

If you’re looking to keep your Ostrich Fern inside then simply pull it back away from the windowsill so that it doesn’t receive too much light or consider placing it on a north facing windowsill rather than a south one. In the winter you can allow your fern access to more natural light as the rays will be a lot weaker during these months.

So to summarise: how much sun can Ostrich Ferns take? In cooler climates they can tolerate some sun but definitely prefer bright indirect light or a shady placement. At the end of the day you can choose where ever to put your plant but if you do place it in direct sunlight then you may find the fronds becoming damaged and the plant not doing as well as you want it to or even dying under extreme circumstances.