Australian sword fern has so far proven itself to be a tough and adaptable plant in my garden (NW Houston, borderline zone 8/9). If you want to create a shape, you can trim around the edges of the plant. Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is one of the most popular ferns. Exceptional in ground, in pots and hanging baskets. Part Sun to Sun. Description: Nephrolepis obliterata is considered to be one of the most beautiful among all ferns. The fern has a single trunk that has a unique furry appearance. The Kimberly Queen fern is believed to clean the surrounding air of pollutants and toxins, which is why it is a popular choice for homes in urban areas. GreenAndHealthy.Info strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) earns a spot on our list because of its lacy, airy foliage and slender, black stems—but it needs constant moisture and can be tricky to grow indoors. (60-90 cm) 36-48 in. Also called sword fern because of its straight, narrow upright fronds, it's an Australian native that's about 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide when mature. They get morning sun, the rest of the day is filtered shade. Place your fern in a hanging basket or fern stand for best results. It’s popular to have these ferns indoors since they have a wonderful tropical quality to them. Bird’s nest (Asplenium nidus) is an easy-care fern. Australian tree fern is more tree than fern. Regularly spraying the plant with water will also help. Want to adorn your shelf with a potted fern? Once established, water as needed to maintain consistent soil moisture. Prepare the garden by breaking up the existing soil (use a hoe, spade, or power tiller) to a depth of 12-16” (30-40cm). Kimberly Queen Fern is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Worldwide, the American Fern Society estimates there are about 12,000 species of ferns, ranging from cold hardy to tropical, and ranging in size from miniature to the monstrous tree ferns of New Zealand and Australia. (90-120 cm) intervals. © Copyright 2013 AvianWeb LLC - Copyright Information| Disclaimers | Contact: Website Administrator | Report: Abuse or Spam. Japanese Painted Fern. ✦ The Kimberly Queen fern cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, so if you live in such areas, grow the plants indoors. While most sword fern are very similar in shape to Nephrolepsis exaltata, their stems are more rigid. There are several different species and varieties that have been grown as house plants since the late 19th century because they are one of the fastest growing, least demanding, easiest to care for plants for growing indoors. Austral Gem tolerates most indoor conditions, including bright indirect light and even shady locations. Best suited for warm climates (USDA zones 10-12), Boston fern makes a nice outdoor container choice for spring and autumn in cooler regions. Most indoor species of ferns are tropical, although not all require tropical weather. Western Sword Fern Care. What you'll need: 1 Heart to Heart ® 'Chinook' Sun or Shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum. It has large fronds and beautiful upright bushy and sword-sahped leaves. They grow best in bright, indirect light without any full sun. Worldwide, the American Fern Society estimates there are about 12,000 species of ferns, ranging from cold hardy to tropical, and ranging in size from miniature to the monstrous tree ferns of New Zealand and Australia. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Sporting gorgeous green fronds, and tidier and easier to care for than its cousin the Boston Fern, the Australian Sword Fern is a truly lovely indoor plant. FERN CHARACTERISTICS. Plants spread by underground rhizome. Water: The key to tree fern care is not to let your plant dry out. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Easy to care for and adaptable as a houseplant. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Unlike a Boston or Dallas fern, the Kimberly Queen or Australian sword fern (scientific name: Nephrolepsis obliterata) grows upright, rather than spreading out towards the sides, giving it a neater appearance and making it easy to care for. The Emerald Queen Fern is sometimes referred to as an Australian sword fern and as the name implies can be found in its natural habitat in Australia. For more growing tips, see Western Sword Ferns 101: A Field Guide to Planting, Care & Design. Less fussy than Boston ferns and a beautiful accent indoors or out. Scientific Name: Nephrolepis biserrata. A more sun tolerant sword fern with improved wind resistance. Height/Width: 2-3 feet; 3 feet. Maidenhair fern has light green delicate foliage on arching brown to brownish black shiny fine stems, growing from underground rhizomes. As houseplants, they've been in cultivation for centuries. This is a vigorous grower, and the sword shaped leaves remain sturdy in windy areas. It has become so widespread in areas such as Florida that it’s now considered an invasive species there. The tree is only capable of living indoors or outside in tropical conditions in Zone 10. Kimberly queen, or Australian sword fern ( Nephrologist Obliterata), grows upright, rather than spreading out towards the sides, giving it a neater appearance and making it easy to care for. Ferns are popular indoor plants and can add a touch of life to any space, providing there is adequate natural sunlight. This plant grows upright, making it perfect for hanging baskets, and its long, vertical, sword-shaped fronds never leave a mess. Fertilize periodically during growing season. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is native to Australia and was introduced to the temperate parts of the United States almost 20 years ago.. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms. It prefers a protected spot inside with filtered light and a moist, shaded position outdoors that has good air flow and is protected from frosts. However, the sword fern is more compact, tidier and easier to care for especially by those new to gardening. The Emerald Queen Fern is well known for its ability to help purify the air by reducing indoor toxins like Formaldehyde, Xylene and Toluene. As they unfurl, they create a vase-like or bird’s nest shape. So many ferns, so little time—see our Garden Design 101 guides to Asparagus Ferns and Tree Ferns, as well. I have several of these ferns planted under two pine trees in my backyard. This is necessary to protect the roots during the winter in areas that are very cold, because the roots give out new fronds in spring. Part Sun to Sun. Partial to full shade. The Staghorn Fern, with its fuzzy, antler-shaped leaves, and the Australian Sword Fern are other houseplants that are safe to keep around pets and children. They make good borders in landscape gardens, and increase the appeal of the area, especially when they are planted with other shade-loving plants like begonias, heliconias, and impatiens. Different Types of Indoor Ferns: 1. Photo: Simon Whitbread / bauersyndication.com.au. We provide informative articles about gardening, lawn care and landscaping that you can come back to again and again when you have questions or want to learn more! Australian Sword Fern aka Kimberley Queen Fern . Nephrolepis exaltata Green Lady, known as Boston Fern or Sword Fern. Distribution and habitat: Nephrolepis obliterata is a large, ground-dwelling or terrestrial fern which grows in rainforests upon rocks or in soil near lakes or streams native to northeastern Australia and New Guinea. Like it’s red-hued cousin, a bit of a challenge, but a wow, too. USDA Hardiness Zone: 9-11 However, transplanting the plant too often will weaken it, so prior planning is a must. Ferns have been a very popular and elegant part of many gardens for centuries. One of the common indoor varieties is Adiantum raddianum ‘Fragrens’, but for a moist shady spot in the garden, grow the relatively tough Australian … Kimberly Queen Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is one of the most popular ferns. Plants spread by underground rhizome. The plant grows just as well in a hanging basket as on the ground, giving it an advantage of versatility as a decorative plant. They grow to about 24-36 in. Well, we're looking for good writers who want to spread the word. The Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is native to Australia and was introduced to the temperate parts of the United States almost 20 years ago. Divide western sword ferns in spring and transplant to other garden areas for enjoyment. To do this, you must remove the plant from the soil, and gently with your hands separate the ball of the roots from each other. 2 Prepare a shady spot where the soil is moist but not soggy. It's an adaptable easy to care for fern suited to most settings. ✦ Apply a water-soluble fertilizer in the soil around the fern once in 3 months. Outdoor ferns provide graceful, reliable foliage for shaded areas all through the warm months of the year. Tall sword shaped fronds stand upright to create lush green clumps. They should be planted in rich, light, slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They also make great hanging basket plants, as older fronds do not shed as pro-fusely as some other baskets. Heavy pruning near the level of the soil, once in 2 – 3 years just before the advent of spring will keep the plant green and extend its lifespan. 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