It grows from crevices in coastal cliffs, stream banks, rocky slopes, and other moist, stable areas.

Cyrtomium falcatum has leaves exceeding 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) in length made up of six to ten pairs of shiny bright green leaflets.

[citation needed] Holly ferns planted either in containers or in the ground are not picky about soil composition or quality; like other ferns, they will even grow mounted or tied to driftwood, wooden boards, tree branches or rocks, provided there is some amount of sphagnum moss or other organic medium surrounding the rhizome and rootball and the plant receives adequate water.

Fertilization is not required, as they are minimal feeders; however, a yearly or twice-yearly application of granular, time-released plant feed may be beneficial.

[citation needed] The holly fern plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.