Nephrolepis exaltata
Common Name(s):
- Description
-
A lush green fern commonly grown as a houseplant. Prefers bright, indirect light. Needs high humidity and soil moisture. Do not overwater to the point of sodden soil. Cut back on water in the winter when the plant goes dormant. Does well to remove indoor air pollutants. Place near kitchens and bathrooms for higher humidity or set on a tray of wet pebbles.
Potentially invasive in warm climates.
They produce spores on the underside of the leaves. These are dark brown to black dots that appear in a pattern. Do not mistake these for insect or disease damage. Scales or spidermites can be a problem if the air around the plant is too dry.
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- Tags:
- Cultivars:
-
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nephrolepis
- Species:
- exaltata
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical regions
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Creeping
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Graceful, green, fronds with a lacy look. Are attractive in hanging baskets.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Similar plants:
-
Podocarpus macrophyllus
-
x Fatshedera lizei
- Peperomia prostrata
