21 Types of Fern with Fabulous Foliage for Indoors and Out
Ferns are a diverse group of plants known for their lush, feathery foliage, which thrives in moist, shaded environments. Their ancient lineage dates back millions of years, offering a variety of textures and forms.
Ideal for adding greenery to dim corners of gardens or homes, ferns can suit any plant enthusiast's collection. Add a fern to your space for a touch of prehistoric elegance.
Eagle Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
Growing up to 4 feet tall, the eagle fern stands out with its large fan-shaped fronds. These fronds are not just beautiful; they also hold many spores on their undersides that help this plant spread widely.
With the right conditions, such as loamy acidic soil and shade, eagle ferns thrive almost anywhere in the world. Once established, this fern can quickly take over an area if not kept in check.
You may find it growing across various landscapes due to its adaptability. Keeping it within a designated space ensures that your garden remains tidy while still enjoying its striking presence.
Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)
The holly fern stands out with its unique look, unlike the typical fern. Its name hints at its glossy leaves that resemble those of a holly shrub.
This evergreen plant thrives in full shade, where many other plants struggle to grow. For anyone wanting to bring life to dark corners of the garden, this fern delivers lush greenery all year round.
Expect beauty and vibrancy from an unexpected source in your yard! The appearance of the holly fern truly surprises those familiar with more common ferns.
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
Unique beauty shines brightly in the Japanese painted fern. Its fronds rarely show green; instead, they flaunt stunning shades of purple and silver that dance together across each leaf.
This striking color mix brings vibrance to any garden. Finding a fern that adds ornamental value isn’t hard, but this one stands apart from the rest.
You can easily enhance your landscape with its impressive foliage. A colorful addition like this transforms ordinary spaces into something special.
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora)
Autumn fern captivates with its unique fan-shaped fronds. New growth appears in a light bronze color, which later turns green.
This change creates a beautiful contrast between the fresh and mature leaves. Commonly found in woodlands, this plant loves moist soil beneath taller plants.
Identifying it early in the season is easy due to its striking colors.
Japanese Tassel Fern (Polystichum polyblepharum)
Winter months can feel dull, but greenery brightens up any garden. The Japanese tassel fern stands out with its stunning foliage that resembles a typical fern at first glance.
A closer look reveals each frond’s shiny surface, which sparkles beautifully in the light. This plant thrives in East Asia, especially Japan, yet it grows well in hardiness zones 5 to 8 too.
It prefers partial to full shade and needs rich soil with good drainage for healthy growth. Adding this fern brings life and color even during the coldest seasons.
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Ferns can bring a unique touch to your garden, and the ostrich fern stands out with its striking look. Its fronds resemble the feathers of an ostrich, showcasing a long central stem that gently bends away from the center.
This plant thrives in moist soils beneath large trees like oaks and maples found in eastern United States forests. You will appreciate how these ferns flourish in filtered light, adding elegance to shaded areas.
Their frilly texture enhances their charm while fitting perfectly into natural settings. Finding this beautiful fern among broad-leaved temperate forests is quite common, making it accessible for anyone seeking to enhance their green space.
Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)
Worrying about the sword fern is unnecessary. This plant shows off long, green fronds for most of the year.
As autumn approaches, those fronds may turn brown with age. Each frond has leaflets that spread out, giving it a wide look.
You can trust this fern to bounce back at the start of the next growing season without needing any trimming.
Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
A lady fern can reach impressive heights of 5 to 7 feet when it thrives in the right conditions. Full shade or partial shade works best for this classic plant, making it a great choice for various gardens.
Moist and nutrient-rich soil plays a key role in helping your lady fern flourish. Rapid growth occurs once you provide those ideal growing requirements.
This beautiful fern makes any shaded area more inviting with its lush presence. Adding a lady fern brings both beauty and size to your outdoor space effortlessly.
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
The royal fern stands out due to its striking features. Large brownish-gold structures rise proudly in the center, creating a bold contrast against the light green leaflets.
These outer fronds are long and rounded, resembling a bright lime shade that adds freshness to any space. Although it may resemble other ferns at first glance, this plant brings unique beauty that deserves attention.
Cinnamon fern shares some similarities but lacks the same level of distinctiveness found in the royal variety. Don't overlook this captivating addition for your garden or home!
Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
A beautiful sight in any home, the foxtail fern catches attention with its unique look. You will admire how its spike-shaped leaves create clusters that arch before standing tall at the top.
Those feathery spikes display a vivid green color that brightens up spaces, fading into a deeper shade below. Easy to care for, this plant requires little effort to thrive and show off its charm.
Lasting impressions come from both its striking appearance and simple maintenance needs. Growing this fern can bring life into your surroundings effortlessly.
Birds Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Seeing the bird’s nest fern often sparks curiosity. This plant looks quite different from typical ferns, primarily because of its long, oval leaves that resemble more traditional foliage.
Many people are surprised to learn it can live on tree branches and trunks in nature instead of just on the forest floor. Most commonly, this fern serves as a charming houseplant that fits perfectly into containers.
It thrives best in indoor spaces with some humidity and plenty of light exposure.
Java Fern (Leptochilus pteropus)
Java fern stands out from other ferns due to its unique needs. This plant thrives underwater, making it an excellent choice for fish tanks and aquariums.
Its leaves are long, broad, and leaf-like, creating a different appearance compared to typical ferns. Growth happens slowly with this species, so patience is essential for those who care for it.
An understanding of its aquatic environment will help you provide the right conditions for success with Java fern. Many people appreciate this beautiful plant in their aquatic setups around the world.
Leatherleaf Fern (Rumohra adiantiformis)
Living in a colder area doesn’t mean you can't enjoy the beauty of a leatherleaf fern. This plant thrives indoors as a container option, making it accessible for everyone.
Large and triangular fronds create an eye-catching display, adorned with rounded leaflets that have wavy edges. The shiny texture of these leaves sets them apart from other ferns and contributes to their common name.
In warmer climates, particularly in hardiness zone 9 or higher, leatherleaf ferns flourish outdoors and add lush greenery to gardens. Their unique appearance makes them a striking choice for any space.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Long fronds of the Boston fern can reach down and gracefully hang over the sides of their containers. This unique growth makes them look stunning in hanging baskets, whether you place them inside or outside your home.
A humid environment suits this plant well since it thrives on moisture. Indoor spaces often lack enough humidity for ferns like this one to flourish, so adding a humidifier helps recreate that needed atmosphere.
Regular misting with a spray bottle also keeps your Boston fern happy and moist. Taking these steps ensures that your plant remains healthy and vibrant throughout its life.
Vegetable Fern (Diplazium esculentum)
The vegetable fern serves as an edible option for those who enjoy unique plants. This fern grows beautifully in gardens, displaying long, narrow fronds that fan out gracefully.
Harvesting young fronds in early spring brings a delicious addition to meals if you decide to eat it. Allowing the plant to grow naturally enhances your garden's beauty without any effort on your part.
People familiar with edible ferns might recognize its name and assume it's one of them.
Ribbon Fern (Pteris cretica)
Ribbon ferns stand out with their unique foliage that resembles ribbons. This fern variety brings a fresh twist to any plant collection, making it an exciting choice for enthusiasts.
Several cultivated types exist, each showcasing its own fascinating leaf colors. Some feature striking creamy white markings against dark green leaves, adding visual interest to your space.
Choosing this plant means bringing in not just beauty but also diversity into your home garden. For anyone looking for something special in the fern family, ribbon ferns truly deliver!
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Growing well both indoors and outdoors, the maidenhair fern adds beauty to any space. This small fern usually reaches one to two feet in width and height but tends to spread out more than it grows tall.
Unique triangular fronds give it a distinct look, unlike other ferns you might know. Each leaflet is small, measuring less than an inch across, creating a delicate appearance.
The texture of its foliage stands apart from typical ferns, making this variety special.
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium superbum)
Choosing the most impressive feature of the staghorn fern is a challenge. The way this plant grows stands out as particularly fascinating.
Mounting a staghorn fern on wood or another surface allows it to thrive just like it does in nature, where it clings to tree sides. Some may point to its unique leaf shape as noteworthy, but that growth habit brings even more charm and intrigue.
This connection with nature makes caring for such a plant rewarding and engaging.
Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Cinnamon ferns stand out in any garden. Unique fronds give them a special look that captures attention.
Fertile fronds rise straight up, featuring a golden-brown hue that contrasts sharply with the broad green infertile ones. This blend of colors and textures makes the cinnamon fern more interesting than typical ferns.
Green, leafy fronds spread widely while spire-like structures add height and depth to your space. Such diversity brings life to your outdoor area effortlessly.
Harts Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
Hart's tongue fern stands out because it stays green all year. This evergreen plant brightens your garden even during winter months.
Large leaves give it a tropical appearance, which is surprising since it's not from a tropical area. It thrives in hardiness zones 5 through 9 and prefers living in partial or full shade.
Unlike many ferns that die back each fall, this species continues to grow strong through the seasons. Consider adding this unique fern to bring life into your outdoor space year-round!
Hay-Scented Fern (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
The hay-scented fern thrives on the forest floor, spreading easily in moist soil. This plant features new fronds that start as classic fiddleheads and gradually unfurl into large, triangular shapes with intricate edges.
Its rich green color makes it a great choice for background greenery among perennial groundcovers. Many picture this fern when they think of ferns due to its traditional appearance.
Expect to see these ferns flourish during the early growing season as they curl open and grow larger. A true symbol of lush greenery, the hay-scented fern brings life to any space it occupies.
