Dallas Fern Nephrolepis biserrata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Nephrolepis exaltata var. biserrata
- Phonetic Spelling
- nef-roh-LEP-iss by-ser-AH-tah
- Description
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The Giant Sword Fern (Nephrolepis biserrata) is native to tropical areas in the Americas, Africa and Southeast Asia. It is the largest of the sword ferns and is referred to as Macho Fern in some nurseries. Nephro (kidney) and lepis (scales) are derived from Greek and reflect the appearance of this fern’s indusium. Biserrata described the leaf margin.
This fern does well in tropical climates or as a large indoor plant. It prefers moist, well-draining soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. It will tolerate poor soils if some organic material is present. The Macho Fern grows well in partial to full sun and will not tolerate drought. In moist tropical areas it can grow rapidly and spread to form large colonies. While considered by most to be inedible, in some African cultures, the young leaves are cooked and eaten. Yellowing leaves may be a sign of overwatering. Dropping leaves may indicate either over or underwatering.
The large, pointed fronds create a striking tropical appearance and are a beautiful focal point in large indoor areas or toward the back of a garden in zones 10-11.In tropical areas, it can serve as groundcover in shade or as a woodland border and can grow as an epiphyte on rocky solid or on larger plants. This fern does very well in containers and hanging baskets outside of its growth zone.
This fern generally has no significant disease or pest issues. However, if grown outdoors below Zone 9, keep an eye out for mealybugs, scale, aphids, or fern mites when moving the plant indoors.
Quick ID Hints:
- Sori: circular or horseshoe shaped
- Pinnae: margins are double-toothed (biserrate)
- Fronds: bright green, long and pointed, reaching up to 8 feet in length
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No significant diseases or pests. Watch for Florida Fern Caterpillar.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Macho'
giant, cascading bright green fronds that can grow to 4 feet in length
- 'Macho'
- 'Macho'
- Tags:
























- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Macho'
giant, cascading bright green fronds that can grow to 4 feet in length
- 'Macho'
- 'Macho'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nephrolepis
- Species:
- biserrata
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- tropical Americas, Africa and Southeast Asia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Papery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer