About
A compact, clump-forming, slow-growing evergreen fern with a trailing habit and masses of dark green, dense, sword-shaped, tripinnate fronds which are ruffled around the edges. A good air-purifying plant and ideal for terrariums and bottle gardens.
About the genus
Nephrolepis are rhizomatous, sometimes stoloniferous, evergreen ferns with narrow, pinnately divided fronds, broader and more highly dissected in many cultivars
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Ferns, Herbaceous Perennial, Houseplants
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow indoors or under glass in a peat-free multipurpose compost, or a mix of 1 part loam, 2 parts sharp sand and 3 parts leaf mould in bright filtered light, with moderate to high humidity and good ventilation. During the growing season, water moderately with soft water and apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertiliser monthly. Water sparingly in winter. Fronds can rot if they become too wet. See Epiphytic Ferns for further advice. An ideal plant for terrariums and bottle gardens. See how to grow ferns as houseplants for further advice
PruningRemove any dead fronds
PropagationSow spores are 21°C (70°F) as soon as ripe, but resulting plants are unlikely to come true. Separate rooted runners in late winter or early spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free