Nephrolepis
Ladder fern, Sword fern, Boston fern
Also known as Nephrolepis 'Boston Fern'
- Height × spread
- 0.8m – 0.8m × 1m – 1m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are about thirty species of these frost-tender ferns, the best known of which is the Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata. These are generally grown in the house or conservatory and are evergreen or semi-evergreen with beautiful foliage that is likely to provide year round interest. The popular name of 'Ladder fern' for Nephrolepis cordata and the general description 'Sword fern' best describes the desirable character of their foliage. These are tolerant plants that can take a fair amount of neglect. For optimum conditions provide a light but rich organic soil, which is well drained but there is always some moisture present, and a position where there is bright indirect light. Remove any unsightly dead fronds.
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.8m – 0.8m
- Spread
- 1m – 1m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- A light position not direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
- Pet safe
- Yes – listed in our pet-safe plants
Spring
Spring-Summer · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food
Use a balanced house plant feed that has been diluted so it is half strength. Feed the plant monthly with this from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Spring-Summer · Outdoors
Feed with houseplant food
Use a balanced house plant feed that has been diluted so it is half strength. Feed the plant monthly with this from May until August.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Summer · Outdoors
Water during drought
Water plants in the ground regularly after a period of drought if still in growth (prefer to be dry when dormant). Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.
Winter · Outdoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.
Winter-Spring · Planting
Prune damaged fern fronds
You can remove old fronds in winter if they look tattered. Carefully cut them off using secateurs. Other fronds can be removed as they break, die or fail in spring. Cut them off carefully so as not to damage the young, emergent growth.
Planting & general
Indoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoors
Water with rain water
This plant needs rain water or soft water (the minerals in alkaline or "hard" water are harmful). This is especially important for plants in pots.
Outdoors
Protect the base from rotting
Assist free drainage and prevent the base of the plant rotting by using lime, granite chips or fine horticultural grit round the base of the plant on top of the soil.
Compost · Planting
Loam based compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality standard compost.
Alternatively prepare a special compost that is best suited to the plant's needs: mix equal amounts of loam (John Innes no. 2 or 3), leaf mould, bark and grit.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in indirect light indoors
Give the plant a position that is cool and light, and away from direct sunshine.