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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chlorophytum comosum Form
Davallia solida var. fejeensis Potted fern with lacy fronds and fuzzy, creeping rhizomes.
Hemionitis rotundifolia Lemon button fern
Nephrolepis biserrata has some common insect problems:
Florida Fern Caterpillar
Fern Scale Insect

Sword Fern Nephrolepis biserrata

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Sword Fern:

Previously known as:

  • Nephrolepis exaltata var. biserrata
Phonetic Spelling
nef-roh-LEP-iss by-ser-AH-tah
Description

This fern is native to tropical areas worldwide.  Great for containers and hanging baskets.

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'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#fern#hanging baskets#evergreen ferns#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
 
Nephrolepis biserrata
Form Yercaud-elango CC BY-SA 4.0
Nephrolepis biserrata "Giant Sword Fern"
Form Mokkie CC BY-SA 3.0
Nephrolepis biserrata
Form Daderot Public Domain Mark 1.0
Nephrolepis biserrata
Leaf Blade Mokkie CC BY-SA 3.0
Nephrolepis biserrata
Branches Tauʻolunga CC BY-SA 3.0
Nephrolepis biserrata
Leaf detail Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaf Blade
Leaf Blade Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) CC BY-SA 3.0
Leaves
Leaves Mokkie CC BY-SA 3.0
Leaf Blade
Leaf Blade Mokkie CC BY-SA 3.0
Leaves
Leaves Daderot CC0 1.0
Form
Form David J.Stang CC BY-SA 4.0
Leaves
Leaves Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz CC BY-SA 4.0
Form
Form Mokkie CC BY-SA 3.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Macho'
    giant, cascading bright green fronds that can grow to 4 feet in length
'Macho'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#fern#hanging baskets#evergreen ferns#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nephrolepis
    Species:
    biserrata
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer