The thick-stemmed wood fern is native to the forests of northern eastern asia where it thrives as an understory plant on the forest floor with filtered light. It is an attractive vase shaped plant that retains its leaves in winter, although they lie flat on the ground to protect the crown and rootball through the winter. The fronds can be cut back in spring to encourage new growth.

This fern grows best in part shade with moist well-mulched soils and grows to about 3 feet high and wide. Deer are not attracted to this fern so it is a good choice in areas where deer are a problem.