Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’: Plant Care and Growing Guide
The Lady In Red Fern, also called Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’, is popular among gardeners. It’s also known as Painted Lady Fern ‘Burgundy Lace’ and Japanese Painted Fern ‘Burgundy Lace’. This plant, Athyrium niponicum ‘Burgundy Lace’, is loved by gardening fans everywhere.
This fern is known for being low maintenance and growing at a moderate rate. Its light green leaves will brighten up your home or garden. But, only if you learn how to take proper care of it for it to thrive.
Fortunately, taking care of your Lady In Red Fern is not too difficult – as long as you follow our guidelines in this Lady In Red Fern Care Guide. Now let’s get started.
Understanding the Lady In Red Fern
The Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’, or Lady In Red fern, is a lovely deciduous plant. It features soft, feathery green fronds and vibrant ruby-red stems. This vibrant contrast makes it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a touch of color and texture to shady landscapes.
What sets this fern apart from others is its bold coloring. While many ferns offer a simple green palette, the Lady In Red stands out with its vibrant red rachis—the central stem that runs through each frond. Its finely cut leaves give it a delicate, airy feel that sways gently in the breeze.
Ideal USDA Zones:
| Zone | Suitability |
| 3–8 | Excellent growing range |
It thrives in cool to mild climates and does best in areas with high humidity, moist soil, and consistent shade—making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders.
Scientific / Botanical Aspects
The Lady In Red Fern is part of the Aspleniaceae family. It belongs to the genus Athyrium and the species Niponicum. Its full scientific name is Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ (pronounced a-THEE-ree-um FY-liks FAY-mee-nuh).
As with other Athyrium’s, the Lady In Red Fern is a herbaceous plant, which means it will die back to the ground every year.
Growing Region
The Lady In Red Fern is a plant native to the Eastern Asia.
Keep in mind your plant’s native region and environment. The Lady In Red Fern thrives best in conditions it knows well.
The Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ thrives in heat zones 1 to 8. Its hardiness levels range from 4a to 9b. The best climate zones for this plant.
Growth and Size
Growth
In terms of size and growth, the Lady In Red Fern is a relatively moderate grower, which makes things somewhat easy for any plant enthusiast.
Size
But, how big does the Lady In Red Fern actually get? What should you expect in terms of size? Let’s dive right in…
The Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ can grow up to 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm) in 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm) and 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm) in 1′ – 2′ (30cm – 60cm).
The Lady In Red Fern is a medium-sized fern. Keep this in mind when deciding where to place it in your home.
This is why experts recommend keeping an area of approximately 24″ (60cm) free so the Lady In Red Fern can spread to its best extent.
Water
In terms of watering, the Lady In Red Fern is a fairly complicated plant to take care of.
This is mostly because it has a not so straightforward watering schedule and somewhat regular watering needs.
Specifically, most experts agree that the Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ grows best with regular watering to keep the soil moist during the dry season. Once the plant establishes itself, reduce the watering.
Which is why it is considered a plant with relatively average needs in terms of water.
Watering
Keep your Lady In Red Fern in moist, well-draining soil. This helps your plant grow and thrive.
But, if you want a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution to watering your Lady In Red Fern then you should consider the famous ‘finger’ test. To conduct this test, simply place your finger into the soil surrounding your plant and assess its moisture level. If it is, then don’t water; if it isn’t, then please do. In any case, this test will allow you to know if your Lady In Red Fern needs or does not need water every time.
Soil Mix
The Lady In Red Fern’s ideal soil potting mix is made out of sand, loam, and clay.
In addition to this, expert gardeners recommend having preferably neutral to acid soil.
Sunlight Preferences for Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’
The Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ thrives best in partial to full shade, making it a standout choice for darker corners of the garden. While it can tolerate dappled morning sunlight, it prefers protection from the harsh afternoon rays, which can scorch its delicate fronds and fade its signature red stems.
Too much sunlight can cause the leaves to wilt, dry out, or turn brown at the edges. On the other hand, too little light may result in slow growth and pale, less vibrant foliage. Getting the balance right is key to helping this fern maintain its lush, textured appearance.
| Light Condition | Effect on Fern |
| Full Shade | Ideal, promotes lush growth |
| Partial Shade | Tolerable, best with moist soil |
| Full Sun | Can cause scorching and dryness |
Best spots include woodland borders, under tree canopies, or alongside shaded paths—anywhere the soil stays cool and the sunlight stays soft.
Season
Being a herbaceous plant, the Lady In Red Fern will die back to the ground every year.
But, you can expect it to have its ‘prime-time’ during the spring (mid, late), the summer (early, mid, late), and during the fall.
Foliage
The leaves from the Lady In Red Fern have a beautiful light green color during most of the year.
In particular, they have a compound (pinnately, bipinnately, palmately) and fronds arrangement in its leaves.
Attracts, Tolerance, and Resistance
The Lady In Red Fern is well known for its tolerance to wet soil, clay soil and animals like rabbit and deer, so don’t worry if any of these come along, your Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ will be fine.
Garden
Now, let’s talk garden and how your Lady In Red Fern will look best in it.
Most Athyrium Filix-Femina ‘Lady In Red’ owners agree that this fern will look great in most cottage, asian/zen and rustic gardens of all types.
Other owners think they fit nicely in many gardens. These include informal, cottage, city, courtyard, gravel, rock gardens, and traditional styles.
The Lady In Red Fern thrives in many spots in your garden. It works well in ponds, streams, and beds. You can also use it to underplant roses and shrubs. Some people plant it in very wet areas or use it for landscaping indoors. It’s great for urban gardens, mass planting, erosion control, and container gardens. Plus, it fits nicely in woodland settings.
Companion Plants
Lady In Red Fern’s do well with some other plants beside it. One good companion plant is the Comfort Heuchera, which will pair up nicely with your leafy friend.
Others consider that a nice astilbe will work well too, so choose whichever you find works best for you!
Conclusion
Even though we covered a lot of care information for your Lady In Red Fern, remember the basics: sunlight, soil and water, as these should be enough to grow a healthy plant at home.
