Nephrolepis exaltata
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nef-roh-LEP-iss eks-all-TAY-tuh
- Description
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A lush green terrestrial or epiphytic fern commonly grown as a houseplant. . Plants in the Boston Group have erect to pendent fronds that are pinnately compound and wide. Members of this group are commonly grown in cultivation. Plants in the Lace Group have a dissected pinnae. In this group, fronds appear decompound, finely divided, and often undulate. Plants in the Petticoat Group have pendent fronds that branch apically to form a "petticoat skirt" around the hanging basket. Prefers bright, indirect light and warmth (60-70 degrees). Needs high humidity and moist soil that should never be allowed to dry out. In the winter, reduce watering since overwatering can lead to rot 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.
Quick ID Hints:
- Fronds pinnately compound, lanceolate shaped, gradually tapering upward
- Pinnae basally auricled
- Sori round on vein
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:
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- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bostoniensis'
- 'Ruffles'
ruffled foliage - 'Tiger'
variegated foliage
- 'Bostoniensis'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nephrolepis
- Species:
- exaltata
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical & Subtropical America
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Epiphyte
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Creeping
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
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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 Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Fronds are erect to arching or pendent, short-petiolate, pinnately compound, lanceolate, and are often crowded along stolons. Fronds are graceful, green, have a lacy look, and are attractive in hanging baskets. Pinnules are numerous, linear-oblong, base auricled, and margin is serrulate to crenate. Indusium is circular.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Rhizomes are short, suberect, and with slender stolons.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Pool/Hardscape
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
