Arachniodes simplicior, commonly known as East Asian Holly Fern, is an evergreen perennial fern native to the moist, shaded forest floors and mountainous regions of East Asia, including Japan, Korea, and parts of China. It typically grows to a height of 1-2 feet (0.3-0.6 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). This fern features glossy, dark green fronds that have a leathery texture, contributing to its common name due to the holly-like appearance of the leaflets. The fronds remain attractive throughout the year, adding winter interest to garden settings.

East Asian Holly Fern is valued for its lush foliage and adaptability to low-light conditions, making it an excellent choice for shaded gardens, woodland plantings, and as a ground cover under larger trees. It is also suitable for container gardening and indoor use. This fern prefers consistently moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter and thrives in part shade to full shade. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring little care once established, but should be protected from strong winds and direct sunlight. While generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from fungal diseases in overly wet conditions.CC BY-SA 4.0