7 Types of Indoor Ferns with Pictures and Care Guides
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Ferns are an interesting way to add greenery to your houseplant collection. Most of the ferns that are grown indoors are easy to grow and care for.
Some ferns produce spores that can be used for multiplication of your fern collection.
We have herebelow outlined for you 7 of the best Ferns for growing indoors. Keep reading for the complete list.
7 Best Fern Varieties for Growing Indoors
Our list of the best ferns for indoors include Maidenhair Fern, Holly Fern, Button Fern, Rabbit's Foot Fern, Staghorn Fern among others.
1. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Maidenhair Fern also called Delta Maidenhair Fern bears wiry, shiny, dark stems which resemble human hair.
The fronds in Maidenhair Fern are semi-erect in young plants but they droop as the plant ages. It can grow to a height of 2 ft with a spread of 1-2 ft.
Delta Maidenhair Ferns require moist air, warmth and bright indirect light, which make them ideal for growing in a terrarium or a warm, humid bathroom. Learn how to grow and care for Maidenhair Fern.
2. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis')
Boston Fern is an attractive, hardy fern which bears gracefully arching fronds and leaves which are highly compound whose edges appear slightly serrate.
The Boston Fern can be displayed on a pedestal, in a hanging basket, as a specimen plant or as a part of a grouping.
Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis' thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Boston Fern.
3. Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii')
Lemon Button Fern also called Button Sword Fern, Fishbone Fern or Little-leaved Sword Fern is a compact, small-sized, hardy fern which bears gracefully drooping stems about 1 ft long.
The leaves are small, round, button-like and they release a lemony aroma when crushed, hence the common name "Lemon Button Fern".
Nephrolepis cordifolia 'Duffii' grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Lemon Button Fern.
4. Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)
Holly Fern also called House Holly-fern or Japanese Holly Fern bears toothed, sharp-tipped, holly-like leaves which tolerates lower light and saline conditions than most indoor ferns.
Each leaflet may be flat, wavy or slightly toothed along the edges and it bears a large light brown rhizome.
Cyrtomium falcatum thrives in medium to bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Holly Fern.
5. Hare's Foot Fern (Davallia canariensis)
Hare's Foot Fern is grown for its thick, scaly rhizomes which grow over the edge of the pot and resemble a hare's foot hence giving the fern its common name.
Hare's Foot Fern is ideal for a hanging basket where the rhizomes can hang freely for maximum display. The rhizomes should not be buried under the soil as it can lead to rotting.
Davallia canariensis requires bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Hare's Foot Fern.
6. Rabbit's Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis)
Rabbit's Foot Fern is grown for its furry, brown and yellow rhizomes which look like a rabbit's foot and hence the name. The Rabbit's Foot Fern rhizomes absorb moisture and nutients as they crawl.
The fronds are finely divided, light to dark green in color and look like carrot tops. The leaflets are attached to wiry stems which grow from the rhizomes.
Davallia fejeensis thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn how to grow and care for Rabbit's Foot Fern.
7. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Staghorn Fern also called Antelope Ears or Elkhorn Fern bears large and spectacular fronds which are usually divided at their ends into antler-like lobes.
The genus name is derived from the Greek word 'platys' meaning flat and 'ceras' meaning horn. The species name 'bifurcatum' means bifurcated or forked. Both names refer to the fertile fronds.
Platycerium bifurcatum grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, free-draining soil. Learn how to grow and care for Staghorn Fern.
