Sword Fern is one of the native plants that is grown by EYA youth in our native plant nursery to be shared with the community. Learn more about it from Sharon, our Stewardship and Program Support intern below.

 

Identification & Ecology

The Sword Fern gets its name from the shape of its leaflets – each one resembles a tiny sword with the base forming a hilt where it connects to the centre stalk. This native fern thrives in the damp, shaded woodland ecosystems of British Columbia, stretching from the province’s southern tip to nearly two-thirds of the way to the Yukon border.

It is known by many names across what is now British Columbia, including sθχeləm in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Tsx̱álem in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, sthxhelum in Island Hu’lqumínu’m and sthxá:lem in Upriver Halq’eméylem.

Unlike other flowering plants, they don’t have seeds and instead hold rows of small round sori, which contain the seeds for reproduction.

 

Traditional Uses

Sword ferns are not only important to the ecosystems but also have practical uses in Indigenous communities. Their non-stick fronds were used to separate berries as they dried and line cooking pits. Their roots were dug in the spring, peeled and roasted over a fire or steamed to be served with salmon eggs in times of food scarcity. Their rhizomes (underground stems) were also useful when curing dandruff. Additionally, the sword fern inspired the traditional game pala-pala, where children would pluck as many fronds as possible in one breath while saying “pala”. This earned the fern the name “pala pala plant” in some Salish sea based dialects.

 

Supporting Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

Sword Fern plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, particularly in damp forest ecosystems. Its fronds offer shelter and habitat for insects, small animals, and other forest creatures, supporting overall ecosystem health. Its preference for shady, moist environments makes it perfect for greening projects like the EYA rock garden, where it helps retain moisture in the soil. By covering the ground, Sword Fern acts as a natural barrier that reduces water evaporation, creating a cool, humid microenvironment that supports plant and animal life. This adaptability makes it an essential plant for urban landscapes, particularly in areas like rain gardens or wetland projects.

The Sword Fern relies on shade provided by trees such as Western Red Cedar, which are critical to its growth. With climate changes threatening tree populations, particularly on places like Hornby Island, the growth of Sword Fern may be impacted. Introducing it to gardens and urban projects with moist, shaded conditions helps bolster its resilience and supports biodiversity. By repopulating this fern in its natural habitat, we not only contribute to local ecosystems but also help mitigate the effects of climate change on native plants.

Hand showing the underneath a sword fern (polystichum munitum) frond, highlighting its rows of small round sori.

“Potting together at EYA is very rewarding because we learn something new about each one so we get to build relationships with the plants through the learning process. It is so rewarding to watch the plant locker fill up over the course of the program, and even more meaningful to share that work with the community.” – 2025 Youth Participant

Easy to grow!

Sword fern is one of the easiest ferns to grow in the garden:

 

  • Choose a Spot – Pick a fully to partially shaded area with well-draining soil. Keep in mind that in ideal typical environments, it may spread up to 1.2 m wide or more!
  • Prepare the Soil – Sword fern prefers slightly acidic, moist soil. You can add mulch or compost to help retain moisture.
  • Plant – Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, plant the fern, and water well. Ensure spacing of about 60 cm to allow for spread. They also do well in containers, making them a great option for patios and small gardens. They can grow 0.3 m to 1 m tall!
  • Water – Water regularly, especially in the first year. Once established, they require minimal watering except during prolonged droughts.
  • Maintain – Very low maintenance! Remove dead fronds in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth – no pruning required beyond that.
  • Enjoy the Benefits!

 

We invite you to join us and grow with generosity like the Sword Fern with our Spring Fundraiser. Find Sword Fern in the Understory Garden Bundle (part-shade) and Balcony Bundle (part-shade). By supporting our fundraiser and incorporating native plants into your own gardens or community projects, you can help build a more sustainable and climate-resilient future for EYA youth and our ecosystem!

 

Learn more about the plant fundraiser and order by Monday, April 21st, 2025 at 11:59pm through our website.

 

Sources:

Humans & Nature. n.d. “Five Reasons to Love Sword Ferns.” Center for Humans and Nature. https://humansandnature.org/reasons-to-love-sword-ferns/.

Kovacevic, Stefanija. 2018. “Polystichum Munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl | Sword Fern | Sthxhelum”. Logan Creek Decolonization Project Journal 1 (1):9-12. https://journals.kpu.ca/index.php/LCDP/article/view/257.

Proudfoot B, Brietzke C, and Starzomski B (2016) Sword fern, Western swordfern, Polystichum
munitum. [online] URL: https://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/sword-fern-bull-polystichum-munitum.html.

Royal BC Museum. 2016. “Sword Fern.” Staff Profiles Blog, November 28. https://staff.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/2016/11/28/sword-fern/#:~:text=Aboriginal%20British%20Columbians%20used%20sword,to%20line%20boxes%20and%20baskets.