Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata): Classic Arching Fern for Porches and Parlors

Overview The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is the quintessential Victorian parlor fern, beloved for its gracefully arching, light green, pinnate fronds that can reach 3–4 feet long. A mutation of the wild species

Kangaroo Paw Fern (Microsorum diversifolium): Glossy, Arching Fern for Hanging Baskets

Overview The kangaroo paw fern (Microsorum diversifolium) is an epiphytic fern native to Australia and New Zealand. Its leathery, glossy, dark green fronds are deeply lobed—some simple, some pinnatifid—giving a varie

Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium): Strappy, Evergreen Fern for Lime-Rich Shade

Overview Harts tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is a distinctive, evergreen fern native to Europe, Asia, and eastern North America. Unlike most ferns, its fronds are simple, undivided, and strap-shaped—glossy, b

Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora): Coppery New Growth for Shade Gardens

Overview The autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora), also called Japanese shield fern, is an evergreen to semi-evergreen fern native to East Asia. Its emerging fronds unfurl in striking shades of copper, orange, and br

Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis): Regal, Flowering Fern for Watersides

Overview The royal fern (Osmunda regalis), also called flowering fern, is a magnificent, deciduous fern native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Its large, bipinnate sterile fronds (3–6 feet) resemble locust

Tasmanian Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica): Majestic Cold-Hardy Tree Fern

Overview The Tasmanian tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica), also called man fern or soft tree fern, is a magnificent, slow-growing tree fern native to southeastern Australia and Tasmania. Its thick, fibrous trunk—compos

Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis): Deciduous Fern for Wet, Shady Sites

Overview The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), also called bead fern, is a coarse, deciduous fern native to eastern North America and eastern Asia. Its broad, deeply lobed, light green sterile fronds (1–3 feet) co

'Kimberly Queen' Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata): Upright, Tidy Fern for Containers

Overview Kimberly Queen (Nephrolepis obliterata Kimberly Queen) is a superior cultivar of Australian sword fern selected for its upright, compact habit and tidy, non-spreading nature. Unlike its rampant cousin N. cor

Southern Sword Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia): Tough, Spreading Fern for Warm Climates

Overview The southern sword fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia), also called tuberous sword fern or ladder fern, is a vigorous, evergreen fern native to tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Its upright to arching, o

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina): Versatile, Lacy Fern for Moist Shade

Overview The lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a widespread, deciduous fern native to temperate regions across the Northern Hemisphere. Its light green, lacy, bipinnate fronds—2–3 feet long—form a graceful, vase-s

Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum): Elegant Native for Woodland Gardens

Overview The northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), also called five-finger fern, is a deciduous native of eastern North American woodlands. Its distinctive fronds radiate from a central point in a near-perfect

Japanese Climbing Fern (Lygodium japonicum): Invasive Vine-Like Fern to Avoid

Overview The Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) is a twining, vine-like fern native to eastern Asia. Unlike typical ferns, its fronds are actually twining, leafy rachises that can climb 30–90 feet into trees

Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis): Fuzzy Rhizomes Spill Over Pot Edges

Overview The rabbits foot fern (Davallia fejeensis), also called lacy paw or Fijian hares foot fern, is a charming epiphytic fern native to Fiji. Its most distinctive feature is the creeping, furry rhizomes—covered i

Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus): Bold, Architectural Fern for Tropical Flair

Overview The birds nest fern (Asplenium nidus) is a striking epiphytic fern native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Its large, undivided, wavy-edged fronds—up to 4 feet long—radiate from a centra

Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): Evergreen Structure for Winter Gardens

Overview The Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a tough, evergreen fern native to eastern North America. Its leathery, lance-shaped fronds—12–24 inches long—form a fountain-like clump that stays green thr

Southern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris): Delicate Beauty for Moist Shade

Overview The southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris), also known as Venus hair fern, is a graceful, deciduous to semi-evergreen fern with wiry, black stems and delicate, fan-shaped leaflets (pinnae) that

Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi): Fast-Growing Tropical Statement Plant

Overview The Australian tree fern (Cyathea cooperi), also called giant scaly tree fern, is a fast-growing, single-trunked tree fern native to eastern Australia. Its slender trunk—covered in distinctive scales and lea

Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris): Dramatic Vase-Shaped Fern for Moist Shade

Overview The ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a majestic, deciduous fern that forms tall, vase-shaped clumps of bright green, plume-like sterile fronds reaching 3–6 feet. In spring, its emerging fiddlehead

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum): Living Art for Walls and Trees

Overview The staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum), also called elkhorn fern or antelope ears, is an epiphytic fern native to Australia and New Guinea. Its dramatic, bifurcated fertile fronds resemble antlers, while

Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum): Shade Garden Elegance

Overview The Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) is a deciduous perennial fern renowned for its strikingly colored fronds—metallic silver-gray overlaid with burgundy veins and flushed with hints of