The fern is often associated with lush, cool glades and moist valleys. Both indoors and out, the green foliage provides a sense of calm. While many varieties love damp, shady conditions, the fern can be found growing in a huge range of conditions on almost every continent. There are species native to desert, alpine, forest, meadow and wetland ecosystems. Not all are 'ferny' either, some like the shield fern, don't have tiny pinnae on their fronds, but have large, strap-like leaves, and Holly ferns have leaves like, well, holly. They are an ancient group of plants that do not produce flowers, but instead reproduces by means of spores.
Fern as a House Plant
While outdoor plants usually love shade and evenly moist conditions, indoor versions prefer moderate to bright, indirect light and like to have their soil dry out slightly between watering. Like a lot of house plants, a fern does best when slightly root bound. High humidity is really beneficial, but as most homes don't have much moisture in the air year round, spraying the leaves with water from a mister a few times a week is a good practice. Pebble trays filled with water beneath the plant can also help raise the humidity around the plant. Here are some attractive and easy-to-grow indoor varieties:
- Nephrolepsis exaltata, Boston
- Nephrolepsis exaltata 'Fluffy Ruffles', Ruffle
- Polypodium or Davallia, Rabbit foot
- Pellaea rotundifolia, Button f
- Adiantum cuneatum, Maidenhair
- Pteris ensiformis, Table
- Platycerium, Staghorn
- Asplenium nidus, Birdsnest
For the Garden
Outdoors, most plants enjoy consistent moisture and shade to part shade. Some varieties, such as Ostrich and Royal can grow in full sun if given very wet conditions. Look for plants that are native to your region. The leaves look great in naturalistic woodland gardens, perennial shade borders, along streams and pond edges, in containers and as groundcover. In warm climates, staghorn varieties can lend a tropical air to a garden when grown attached to a tree trunk. Tree varieties can also be quite impressive as the focal point of a garden bed. The following are beautiful and adaptable.
- Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum', Japanese painted, zones 3-8
- Adiantum pedatum, Maidenhair, zones 4-9
- Osmunda regalis, Royal, zones 3-10
- Osmunda cinnamomea, Cinnamon, zones 3-10
- Dryopteris spinulosa, Common wood, zones 3-10
- Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Hayscented, zones 3-9
- Polystichum acrostichoides, Christmas, zones 3-8
- Polystichum munitum, Sword, zones 8-11
- Matteuchia pennsylvanica, Ostrich, zones 2-9
Propagating Your Fern
House Plants
In nature, ferns commonly reproduce through spores that can usually be seen on the underside of their leaves. However, gardeners find that ferns are most easily multiplied by division. For houseplants, divide when clumps get crowded or when lots of new offshoots are growing. Plant each section in a small pot. Ferns seem to prefer being somewhat root-bound so it is best to re-pot them only when they seem to be spilling out of the pot they are in.
Select a pot only as big as necessary to accommodate the plant. A pot that is too big will encourage problems because of too much moisture. Be sure the pot you choose has drainage holes. It is also helpful to put some gravel in the bottom of the pot to keep the drain holes from getting plugged up with soil.
Soil should contain organic matter like peat moss to allow proper drainage while also remaining moist.
Outdoor Plants
In the garden, divide established plants in spring before new growth appears. Dig up the whole clump and saw or pry the sections apart. Replant at the same soil level as before and water well. Ambitious gardeners may want to try growing them from spores.Sandy soil with good drainage is ideal for ferns in your landscape. If your soil has a high clay content, it can be easily amended by adding peat moss, compost or other organic materials.
