Fern - Plant Encyclopedia Results

A small, tropical fern producing very pretty, palm-like fronds on a diminutive scale. It like evenly moist conditions with moderate humidity during it's summer growing period, it should be watered sparingly and carefully during colder months.

Asparagus plumosus, also known as Asparagus Fern, is a small shrub native to South Africa, typically growing between the heights of 2-5 feet tall. It's an attractive evergreen perennial usually grown as an ornamental plant, due to its beautiful foliage. It is best grown in USDA Zones 9-11 and requires moderate water in order to stay healthy and lush.

If you are looking to grow Asparagus plumosus as a houseplant, then it needs a bright spot with some shade. For warmer climates, regular watering is needed to keep the soil moist, but not wet. To keep the soil from drying out, you can use a plastic pot or pot your plant in a terracotta pot with a plastic liner. Since the shrub prefers a moist environment, adding some mulch on top can help retain moisture and reduce the need for frequent watering.

For colder regions, where the soil freezes during winter, it can be tricky to keep Asparagus plumosus going. To start with, you must grow it in a pot that is filled with good potting mix. This will help drain the soil quickly and ensure that water doesn't get frozen in the pot. It is also important that you use a protective covering, such as a plastic sheet, to protect the foliage from cold winds. Watering in winter should be kept to a minimum as too much water can damage the roots. Moreover, avoid fertilizing in winter and wait until the spring to feed your Asparagus Fern.

Can be kept outside or in a deeply shaded patio. In the wild, the Bird Nest Fern is an epiphyte, growing on the trunk of trees. Beware of slugs. Requires consistently moist soil.

Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' commonly known as Japanese Painted Fern, is a compact deciduous fern valued for its finely divided, arching fronds with a silvery base overlaid with green and burgundy tones. Native to East Asia, it forms neat clumps typically 12 to 18 inches tall and wide, with soft, textured foliage that adds contrast and brightness to shaded plantings.

This cultivar prefers partial to full shade and moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Growth is moderate, with slow spread by rhizomes under stable conditions. Hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8, it benefits from consistent moisture and protection from hot afternoon sun. Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum' is well suited to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and container growing.

Begonia bipinnatifida offers a very unique finely textured foliage that is dark green with a deep red to almost maroon coloration on the stems and underside of the leaves. Each division of the pinnate leaf is also pinnate: this gives the leaves a fern-like appearance. This plant prefers a warm, humid environment and occasionally produces bright pink flowers.

It does not appreciate cold water, nor does it like water to be constantly on its leaves. Begonia bipinnatifida plants are recommended to be grown in contained atmosphere (terrarium) under horticultural fluorescent lights. They require particularly bright light, therefore they need to be closed to the centre of the light where light levels are most intense.

Alternatively, plants grown under natural sunlight on a windowsill will often perform best when provided with a south facing position in winter and est-facing one in summer.

The Red Dwarf Tree Fern (Blechnum brasiliense) is a small perennial plant that originates from South America. It is a lovely ornamental fern with its attractive foliage, typically growing to be between 2 to 5 feet tall. It prefers to grow in partial sun or semi-shade and requires regular watering, however, do not over water it. It is also able to survive temperatures as cold as USDA Zone 9, making it somewhat hardy.

Being an understory fern, the Red Dwarf Tree Fern does best in warmth, humidity, and partial shade. When grown in a pot in colder regions, it is important to provide the fern with enough light that does not exceed the plant's threshold for exposure. The pot should also have a well-draining mix to avoid over-watering and root rot. It is recommended to move the plant indoors during the winter season.

Overall, the Red Dwarf Tree Fern is an excellent choice for those looking for a shade loving fern that is easy to care for and provides a great ornamental value to the garden. Its foliage and size make it a great choice for indoors, as well as a beautiful backdrop to larger outdoor shrubs and trees.

Blechnum Discolor has bright green, upright fronds forming a crown shape. With age, this variety forms a short trunk and establishes an increasing colony around it. Long, dark brown fertile fronds stand upright in the centre of the crown.

This fern is best suited to dappled light - although will tolerate a sunny situation provided the soil is kept moist. It will cope with a wide range of conditions, including dry, frosts, and full sun to shade. Fairly hardy but would need some protection from the cold where temperatures dip below -3C for a period of time.

Native to the South Pacific and warm parts of South America, this plant is a popular choice for brightening up shaded outdoor areas. Blechnum gibbum (Dwarf Tree Fern) thrives in a semi-shady position and will reach a height of between 2 and 5 feet tall. Its ornamental foliage is a popular choice for interior landscaping and as a result is widely cultivated and sold.

This is an easy-care fern and will succeed in a wide variety of soils so long as it is kept in a moist, humid environment. Water regularly to keep the soil moist and mist the foliage regularly. It will also benefit from a regular application of liquid fertilizer to its soil.

Grown in USDA Zone 9-11, this fern can be grown in colder regions as long as it is kept in a pot and overwintered in an area that is cool and out of direct sunlight. During the winter months, it is best to water sparingly and mist regularly to ensure that the soil does not dry out. This will help Blechnum gibbum to survive the cooler temperatures and stay healthy.

To keep this fern looking its best, prune away any dead or yellowing leaves. This will help the plant to stay lush and will promote new growth.

Overall, Blechnum gibbum is a small but hardy fern and an ideal choice for an ornamental indoor or outdoor garden. With adequate care and attention, you can be sure that this fern will stay looking its best for many years to come.

This is one of the better known and more common species of Blechnum in warmer climates. It forms a small trunk. On some forms, the new fronds emerge a beautiful pinkish-red, making the fern very attractive.

Does not like excessive watering, but must not dry out, a free draining potting mix and a high amount of sunlight. This fern is tropical and is hardy to USDA Zone 9.

Close related spacies Blechnum moorei - Brazilian Tree Fern is a compact grower and makes a great house plant.

C. australis is commonly known as the Rough Tree Fern due to the presence of adventitious roots, tubercles (knobbly bits) and masses of hair-like scales on its 'trunk'. The 'trunk' like structure on a tree-fern is actually a greatly enlarged rhizome! The horticultural appeal of C. australis is not only due to its beautiful looks but also because it is an extremely hardy species, even capable of tolerating direct sun when the roots are wet. It is also a robust tub plant and is unusual in that it is tolerant of salty winds. C. australis is thus a popular, cold-hardy tree-fern, adaptable to a variety of climates and soils.

Tree-ferns grow best in high humidity and high soil moisture conditions. It is therefore important to use good-quality mulches and to top them up regularly as this will not only keep the soil moist but also provide nutrients to the shallow root system. Tree-ferns usually respond well to organic fertilizers and well-rotted animal manures.

C. australis has a crown of similar size to C. cooperi

but the frond bases are covered in narrow dark brown scales and are quite prickly to the touch.