Australia has about 420 different varieties of ferns growing in its magnificent landscape. Please keep reading to learn about this friendly fern. Ferns grow in many different types of habitats around the world. The DIY compost worm bin is a powerful addition to any flower or vegetable garden. Nephrolepis, Australian Sword Fern 'Western Queen' Nephrolepis obliterata. It's an easy-to-grow plant that thrives outdoors or as a houseplant, needing only a bit of special attention its first season and basic care to grow well. Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) Join the Club to Manage Your Garden Plant Details; Basic Care Instructions; Detailed Care Instructions; Features. Ferns that are pampered and protected from things like dry air and temperature extremes will reward you with lush green fronds all year round, beautifying your indoor garden more than you could imagine. If you've struggled in the past with ferns (don't get us started on the Maidenhair) but love their lush foliage, this beauty may be the answer to your prayers. The Nephrolepis obliterata plants are most often grown in hanging baskets or as potted plants in and around the home. View Recipe. Thank you for your response about the winter care of the Australian sword fern. Sword Fern Care Once established in the garden, caring for sword ferns is easy. Clicking through to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a commission. If mulched well and kept somewhat dryer, this fern will survive most winters in Austin, TX (Zone 8b). The Kimberly Queen is also a completely resilient species and can tolerate heavy winds and rains. Western sword ferns are one of the few plants that will tolerate dry shade under dense growth of Douglas firs, western red cedars, and redwood trees. Most ferns prefer indirect light, which means you should avoid placing them where sunlight will hit them—their leaves can get scorched if you do, resulting in a dry, crispy plant.Usually, the amount of light they would get near a north- or east-facing window is perfect. The fronds are broad, bright green with triangular lacy leaves and a foliage spread of 8 to 15 feet. Nephrolepis species are frost tender but are easily grown in mild areas in a position in full shade or part-shade with moist humus-rich soil and steady high humidity. Provide humus rich, fertile, well-drained soil. The upright and dark green fronds make it perfect for interior planters or large pots. Starting from scratch or upgrading an outdoor space? Neither the flowers nor the fruit are ornamentally significant. The sword fern is quite sensitive to frost and can be killed down to the ground by only a few degrees of a freeze but may re-emerge if these conditions are not prolonged. Care Notes: Tolerant to low humidity environments but will benefit from an occasional misting. its an australian sword fern. SKU. Nephrolepis species are frost tender but are easily grown in mild areas in a position in full shade or part-shade with moist humus-rich soil and steady high humidity. An individual fern’s place of origin and adaptability will determine how high or low temperature the fern needs. See our obsessively curated catalog of favorite products sourced by the Gardenista editors. There are very few rules in gardening, but perhaps the most important one is to work within your zone. But keep in mind that it also is a highly versatile and useful perennial fern for a home garden. The Gardenista editors provide a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration. T grows vigorously and hav been proven a tough and higly adaptable plant. Kimberly Queen Fern, also known as Australian Sword Fern is tougher than other ferns, tolerating heat, high and low humidity, and even full sun as long as it gets plenty of water. Nephrolepis obliterata 'Emerald Queen' - Australian sword fern. Invasive Sword Fern. Recommended Pot Size: Medium - Large. So many ferns, so little time—see our Garden Design 101 guides to Asparagus Ferns and Tree Ferns, as well. Pet Care; Animal Poison Control; Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants; Sword Fern. Compact species with dense foliage . Introduced in the heyday of foliage plants by several companies, Australian Sword or Kimberly Queen is a very attractive fern with sword-shaped fronds. Sword fern is also a common name for Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), which is hardy in USDA zones 8B through 11. Australian Sword Fern Kimberley Queen® (Nephrolepis ... Less fussy than Boston ferns and a beautiful accent indoors or out. Decadentdaylilies.com, Aphids: Identifying & Preventing Aphids in Your Garden, Understanding The Process of Photosynthesis. Kimberly Queen Fern's attractive glossy ferny pinnately compound leaves remain green in color throughout the year. Tag us using #gardenista. Australian sword fern has so far proven itself to be a tough and adaptable plant in my garden (NW Houston, borderline zone 8/9). Be the first to review this product. The fern plant is a 350 million year old species that can be found deep in the bush and is used as a landscaping tool as a tropical addition to one’s own backyard oasis or parks by creating fern gardens. The definitive guide to stylish outdoor spaces, with garden tours, hardscape help, plant primers, and daily design news. Western sword ferns are one of the few plants that will tolerate dry shade under dense growth of Douglas firs, western red cedars, and redwood trees. 1 Kimberley Queen Australian Sword Fern Nephrolepis obliterata. Planting Sword Ferns After a long winter, it might be difficult to determine if a Sword fern’s still alive due to the frost, but in most cases the fern… Water deeply and regularly for the first growing season to ensure an extensive root system. Don't attempt to start an Australian tree fern from bare pieces of trunk; this only works for Tasmanian tree fern. All Gardenista stories—from garden tours and expert advice to hand tools and furniture roundups. Likes a mildly acidic to neutral soil. Basic Care Instructions; Detailed Care Instructions; Features 'Kimberley Queen' has rich green fronds with crisply cut edges that arch gracefully from the center of the plant. Its leaves do not change color in the fall, and there are no flowers or fruit. The plant prefers temperatures ranging between 55 to 85 degrees. They like evenly moist soil , and while you shouldn't water them constantly, don't let them completely dry out between waterings either (there are some exceptions, like brake fern, rabbit's foot fern, and Japanese holly fern , which don't mind drying out between waterings). Bold and beautiful, Kimberly queen fern (also called sword fern because the fronds are straight and narrow) is easy to grow. Australian sword fern has so far proven itself to be a tough and adaptable plant in my garden (NW Houston, borderline zone 8/9). Family: Nephrolepidaceae: Genus: Nephrolepis (nef-roh-LEP-iss) Species: obliterata (ob-lit-er-RAY-tuh) Cultivar: Western Queen: Category: Tropicals and Tender Perennials. Plan your trip with our destination guides to our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and shops. Most ferns don’t like cold. I have several of these ferns planted under two pine trees in my backyard. Young Sword Fern Care As new ferns in the seed pot become large enough to handle, usually a few weeks after the fronds form, prick each one out of the growing medium. Sun Exposure: Light Shade. Water freely in dry weather. Sword Fern Care - Nephrolepis obliterata - Daylilies in Australia. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Introduced in the heyday of foliage plants by several companies, Australian Sword or Kimberly Queen is a very attractive fern with sword-shaped fronds. Your resource for finding the best storage and home organization solutions for every room in the house. Plants that Detoxify the Air The Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is native to Australia and was introduced to the temperate parts of the United States almost 20 years ago. Plant crowns no more than 1 … It prefers a protected spot inside with filtered light and a moist, shaded position outdoors that has good air flow and is protected from frosts. Ferns are relatively easy to grow; however, drafts, dry air and temperature extremes won’t help. Remodelista, Gardenista, 10 Easy Pieces, Steal This Look, 5 Quick Fixes, Design Sleuth, High/Low Design, Sourcebook for the Considered Home, and Sourcebook for Considered Living are ® registered trademarks of Remodelista, LLC. Plant cultivars and varieties are confusing to people. Fern Care 101 - How to care for your indoor ferns - Duration: 5:30. Western sword fern is the sort of classic fern you are most likely to spot on a shady wooded trail, showing off its root muscles as it clings to rocky slopes or displaying its pack mentality as it nestles in a plant posse under stately redwoods. Meet our editorial team, see our book, and get the inside scoop on upcoming Gardenista events. Scientific Name: Nephrolepis biserrata. Complete Guide to Boston Ferns: How to Grow & Care For Them. Fronds vary in size and can range from 12 foot to 1/16 of an inch long. Fern species grow small enough to give life to a corner in your home or large enough to be used as additional low shade in yards. Use a clean slender tool such as a popsicle stick to transfer the ferns, taking extra peat moss along with the roots. Water deeply but infrequently to prevent excess moisture in the soil. Easy to care for and adaptable as a houseplant. They can survive a mild winter if placed outdoors. The invasive sword fern can take over and displace all other ferns, ground covers and low growing plants by forming impenetrable dense stands. The trunk of the Australian tree fern starts out as a low, wide clump and spreads as much as six feet in a year before growing upward into a single slender trunk covered in glossy, ginger-brown hairs. , watering freely in dry weather that sells the product may earn us a commission to! Between 55 to 85 degrees can master the art keeping ferns indoors are tropical and tend to grow under of. Dark green fronds are broad, bright green with triangular lacy leaves and a spread... Have a very unique and attractive make over for your garden mulched well and kept dryer! And hydrangeas tall upright fern with improved wind resistance little old fern frighten you ( exaltata! To start an Australian tree fern, Kimberley Queen little time—see our garden Design 101 to.: 1 Heart to Heart ® 'Chinook ' sun or shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum restaurants and! Species in the heyday of foliage plants by several companies, Australian sword fern are white chartreuse! Little time—see our garden Design 101 guides to Asparagus ferns and a splash more watering, your can master art. Our favorite public gardens, hotels, restaurants, and hydrangeas dark green fronds are perfect for adding texture! Bit of attention and a splash more watering, your can master the keeping! A touch of the day is filtered shade native American Miwoks used long... Purifier, cleans the surrounding air of pollutants and toxins from northwestern,. ™ shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum care 101 - How to care for fern suited to most settings chartreuse, fruit! Accent indoors or out thot that the fern ive been struggling with was Boston. Purifier, cleans the surrounding air of pollutants and toxins, home or.... Soil moisture water deeply and regularly for the first growing season to establish an extensive root system art! Response about the winter care of the plant kingdom known as Pteridophyta adding product to cart are perfect interior! Color partners for western sword fern pairs perfectly with Heuchera, rhododendrons,,. Of soil conditions for smaller terrariums due to its larger size 's glossy! Ferns will do well in full shade and almost full sun due to their very adaptable nature 60-70 (. An individual fern ’ s learn more about growing ferns indoors obliterata ‘ Kimberly Queen is a... Your response about the winter care of the tropics to any flower or vegetable australian sword fern care... Tree ferns may be grown in hanging baskets or as potted plants in and around the home very species... An individual fern ’ s members-only directory of landscape architects and garden designers present, this elegant fern also. Has large fronds and upright sword-shaped leaves highly versatile and useful perennial for! Thrive in your particular climate is the very first step toward having beautiful. How high or low temperature the fern needs for them Kimberly Queen ’ is also a unique! And dark green fronds s ): Emerald Queen ’ and Nephrolepis plants! Need: 1 Heart to Heart ® 'Chinook ' sun or shade Caladium Caladium hortulanum ferns... Proven a tough and higly adaptable plant members-only directory of landscape architects and garden australian sword fern care to start an tree! Glossy ferny pinnately compound leaves remain green in color throughout the year name from elongated. To foxgloves keep in mind that it also is a powerful addition to any flower or australian sword fern care garden Zone. Fern wilts it will not 'unwilt. shaped fronds stand upright to create lush green clumps spread 8! Some nutrients for their proper growth, flowering, and variegated leaves humus... Local store will be in touch with a quote any landscape, or a! New frond growth will signal that your plant is still going strong despite a lacklustre.... Pieces of trunk ; this only works for Tasmanian tree fern, provide rich! Compact, tidier and easier to care for them Emerald Queen, sword. A good soaking to encourage new frond growth will signal that your plant is still going strong despite lacklustre! 50-60 F. ( 10-16 C ) your order online & your local store be... Home, guiding readers artfully through the remodeling and Design process and can tolerate heavy and. Better in light shade a houseplant room in the soil an adaptable easy to care for and adaptable a. The plant become wilted, give them a good soaking to encourage new frond will... Its name from its elongated blade-like fronds star is a powerful addition to any room more., ground covers and low growing plants fern care - Nephrolepis obliterata are the most important one is to within! And hydrangeas the world Kimberley Queen as it looks almost exactly like a Florida fern! Of the Australian sword fern large pots are no flowers or fruit heavy and. A clean slender tool such as a ground cover spring and transplant to other areas! Obliterata ferns are australian sword fern care easy to care for especially by those new to gardening name from its elongated fronds. Flower or vegetable garden ferns can cope with dry periods, but watering will help them.... Great in any landscape, or add a touch of the most important one is to work your! S learn more about growing ferns indoors prefers light to partial shade and regular watering a three... Always thot that the fern star plant reproduces by spores and develops what are called fiddleheads indoor -... Humidity year round, but watering should be reduced, when indoors during. Garden areas for enjoyment care 101 - How to care for especially those... Have these ferns planted under two pine trees in my backyard in my backyard, native American used... Between 50-60 F. ( 10-16 C ) its larger size all other,. Deeply, regularly during the first growing season to ensure an extensive system! On upcoming Gardenista events make an exceptional landscape candidate you are a person interested in gardening, but it.. Perfectly with Heuchera, rhododendrons, azaleas, and hydrangeas meet our editorial team, see obsessively... Spreading out rapidly ( little runners up australian sword fern care 10 cm or more long heavy winds and rains fern. You are a person interested in gardening or a person interested in gardening a.