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Similar but less problematic plants:
Nephrolepis cordifolia is often confused with:
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Nephrolepis cordifolia has some common insect problems:
Florida Fern Caterpillar
Fern Scale Insect

Fishbone Fern Nephrolepis cordifolia

Phonetic Spelling
nef-roh-LEP-iss kor-di-FOH-lee-uh
Description

A fern native to Asia's tropics and subtropics.  It has been introduced to other areas across the world and in some is considered invasive.  It is distinguished from similar ferns by the tuberous structures it grows underground.

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:
  • 'Cute as a Button' (Trademark)
    dwarf variety of common Boston Fern
  • 'Duffii'
    dwarf form, gives off a lemon scent when crushed, double row of small rounded leaves on each side of a frond.
  • 'Lemon Button Fern'
    faint lemon scent, long arching bright green fronds with a single row of small rounded leaves on each side of the frond
  • 'Petticoat'
    rare variety, long fronds that together form in the shape of a petticoat skirt
  • 'Plumosa'
    slow growing, grows up 3 ft tall and 5 ft wide, erect to arching, 32-inch long fronds
'Cute as a Button' (Trademark), 'Duffii', 'Lemon Button Fern', 'Petticoat', 'Plumosa'
Tags:
#houseplant#fern#tuberous#hanging baskets#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Cute as a Button' (Trademark)
    dwarf variety of common Boston Fern
  • 'Duffii'
    dwarf form, gives off a lemon scent when crushed, double row of small rounded leaves on each side of a frond.
  • 'Lemon Button Fern'
    faint lemon scent, long arching bright green fronds with a single row of small rounded leaves on each side of the frond
  • 'Petticoat'
    rare variety, long fronds that together form in the shape of a petticoat skirt
  • 'Plumosa'
    slow growing, grows up 3 ft tall and 5 ft wide, erect to arching, 32-inch long fronds
'Cute as a Button' (Trademark), 'Duffii', 'Lemon Button Fern', 'Petticoat', 'Plumosa'
Tags:
#houseplant#fern#tuberous#hanging baskets#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Nephrolepis
    Species:
    cordifolia
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical & Subtropical Asia
    Distribution:
    Pantropical
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Hairs Present:
    No
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants