All About Ferns

An introduction to growing ferns, including tips on watering them and keeping them healthy indoors.

Boston ferns and related nephrolepis species are among the world's most popular ferns. These plants make great specimen and hanging plants, and they're not overly fussy.

Bird's nest ferns are wonderful tropical plants that can thrive in the right conditions. Give them plenty of warmth and humidity, and not too much light, and some specimens will boast leaves up to three feet long.

Australian tree ferns can be imposing and even intimidating plants: in the wild, they grow up to 40 feet tall. In the home, however, these plants offer a striking and dramatic display that few other ferns can equal.

Staghorn ferns have a devoted following of collectors who cherish these exotic and unusual epiphytes. Like many tropical houseplants, their reputation for difficulty is overstated, and staghorns can be trained to thrive in many indoor conditions.

Maidenhair ferns are delicate and small plants that thrive in shady and moist conditions. These are perfect under-bench plants for your sun room, or even good plants for a humid ledge in your bathroom.