15 Best Ferns to Grow Outdoors
Bipinnately compound fronds have pinnae that come to large rounded tips.
50+ Types of Ferns (Indoor and Outdoor Species of Ferns)
By definition, a fern is a vascular, flowerless plant with leafy fronds that produce spores for reproduction. Whether they add depth and dark green accents to your garden, spruce up a terrarium, or just remind you of scenes from Jurassic Park, ferns are truly remarkable plants.
Life As a Fern Plant
Ferns are some of the most ancient plants on planet Earth. Dating back over 350 million years ago, ferns were some of the first vascular plants . In fact, only club mosses are older. However, the ferns around today aren’t quite that prehistoric.
A Long History
Though most of the first groups of ferns have gone extinct, the ferns we know and love today began evolving around 70 million years ago – still quite impressive. These plants radiated during the Devonian period into the 10,000 fern species on earth today. They were even used as herbal medicine by ancient humans! Here, we’ll dive a bit deeper into some of the jargon and details of fern life before moving on to our master list of 50+ species of ferns.
Vascular Plants
The term ‘vascular’ refers to the connective tissue that allows a plant to transfer food and water throughout its systems. In other words, the evolution of vascular plants allowed for plants to live out of the water. The first vascular plants began developing roots, stems, and leaves. Ferns are some examples we have of the first vascular plants to make their way to land. Signs of prehistoric life are still present in modern ferns, including their reproductive cycle.
Fern Reproduction
The life cycle of a fern has a few distinct steps. Ferns evolved before plants had flowers or seeds, so how do they reproduce? Ferns actually have a multigenerational reproductive process!
First, the spores are released from an adult fern. The spores often need to land in a moist area which starts the gametophyte generation. During this time, the fern looks like a flat little heart. The male and female reproductive structures release the gametes, and fertilization occurs. Now the fertilized egg develops into a baby fern, which begins to grow upward into the fiddlehead. In a beautiful unfurling, the fiddlehead uncurls to reveal the fern or the sporophyte generation. After growing spores, they are released and the process begins again!
Bulbets and fernlets are the exceptions to this cycle. Forms of asexual reproduction, these are ways that some ferns will produce clones of themselves that plant themselves and grow into individual plants.
Fern Life Cycle, Fiddlehead example
Fern Jargon
Before we start our master list of ferns, here’s a list of some helpful definitions that we’ll use in the descriptions of each fern species.
Leaf Descriptors
- Frond – the leaf of a fern
- Broadleaf – describes ferns with fronds that are undivided or simple
- Compound Leaf – fronds are made up of many leaflets expanded from a stem or central point. This is the more common
- Pinnate – the leaflets of the frond are arranged on either side of the stem
- Twice cut – the leaflets themselves are divided and appear to be mini ferns
- Pinnae – each individual leaflet
Habitat Descriptors
- Terrestrial – grows on land with roots in the soil
- Aquatic – grows fully in water
- Epiphytic – grows on tree branches in the air without the need for soil or water
50+ Different Types of Ferns
Let’s jump into our 50+ different fern types. Read along to find the best fern for your home or garden.
Southern Maidenhair Fern ( Adiantum capillus-veneris )
Identification Characteristics
Notable for its delicate leaf shape, the southern maidenhair fern grows in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world. It’s a great choice for your backyard garden as it is a very resilient plant. The fern grows in a clumping, arching pattern, and mostly spreads through rhizomes.
Leaf Shape
The fronds alternate their way up the fern’s stem. Each individual leaf is fan-shaped with a few lobes, reminiscent of a paw print.
Color
Size
10-24 inches tall
Growing Tips
The Southern Maidenhair fern is a great choice for both indoor and outdoor settings. They thrive in shade gardens with alkaline soil.
Giant Fern ( Angiopteris evecta )
Identification Characteristics
Native to countries in Micronesia, Polynesia, Australia, and New Guinea, the giant fern is truly a tropical giant. The plant is massive, with giant fronds that grow from a large stem.
Leaf Shape
The fronds look, for the most part, like the quintessential fern leaf, and are twice-cut pinnately compound.
Color
Bright green with darker purplish, brown stems
Size
With fronds almost 20 feet long and 8 feet across, this fern takes up space! The trunk can grow up to three feet in diameter.
Growing Tips
While this plant is an asset in its native range, it has proved to be quite invasive where it is introduced. Because of this, the cultivation of giant fern is discouraged to prevent the disruption of native habitats. However, it can be used as an ornamental fern.
Bird’s-nest Fern ( Asplenium nidus )
Identification Characteristics
If you’re in search of a hearty houseplant, look no further than Bird’-nest fern. In their natural habitats, they are epiphytic and grow in the canopy of the rainforest. The fronds extend from a central point, like rays from the sun. This center bowl is the plant’s secret hack, trapping decaying matter that will nourish the plant.
Leaf Shape
A broadleaf fern, the fronds are simple and extend from the center in long blades.
Color
Size
The fern can be 3-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide . Each individual frond can grow to be five feet long and eight inches wide!
Growing Tips
Bird’s-nest fern needs a well-draining potting mixture, indirect light, and high humidity . Being a tropical epiphyte, don’t be shy with a mister!
Basket Fern ( Drynaria rigidula )
Identification Characteristics
The entire genus of epiphytic basket ferns all have a similar growth pattern. Some fronds are used as the sporophyte generation to support reproduction. These are large and green! The other fronds are the “sterile nest fronds,” and are small and brown. They form a basket around the base of the fern that serves to collect debris to provide the plant with nutrients.
Leaf Shape
Color
Size
3-4 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
This fern likes filtered light and well-draining soil . It makes a great houseplant!
Hart’s-tongue Fern ( Asplenium scolopendrium )
Identification Characteristics
Most commonly found in Europe, Hart’s-tongue fern is an evergreen plant. It’s named for its resemblance to a deer’s tongue. It grows in clumps.
Leaf Shape
Simple broadleaves, tapering to a point
Color
Size
Fronds are 12-18 inches long
Growing Tips
Likes well-draining soil with medium moisture. Can be grown outside in partial shade or direct sunlight .
Lady Fern ( Athyrium filix-femina )
Identification Characteristics
Loving rich mesic forests everywhere, you can find lady fern around the world. Its scientific name ‘filix-femina’ literally translates to lady fern. The fronds are very lacey and taper to a point.
Leaf Shape
The fronds are compound and cut two or three times, to give them a very lacey appearance.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
With its naturally wide distribution, this is a great addition to your gardens anywhere. Lady fern proves a relatively easy fern to propagate, provided it has enough moisture . It will spread quickly, so be ready for a yard full of ferns.
Japanese Painted Fern
Japanese Painted Fern ( Athyrium niponicum pictum )
Identification Characteristics
A showy fern, Japanese painted fern is native to Eastern Asia but propagated around the world.
Leaf Shape
The fronds are triangular and twice cut.
Color
The leaves look somewhat purplish or burgundy, and like they’ve been frosted with silver or gold. The stem is easily identifiable as it is a reddish color.
Size
Between one and two feet in diameter.
Growing Tips
A great choice for your backyard, Japanese painted fern is both easy to grow and it won’t take over. To encourage its brightest colors, plant in a more shaded area as the sun will bleach the leaves. Because it won’t grow too big, it also makes a great house plant!
Brazilian Tree Fern ( Blechnum brasiliense )
Identification Characteristics
Huge fronds tumble out from the center of the clump. This is on the smaller side of tree ferns, making it more manageable as a houseplant.
Leaf Shape
Color
Bright green; new growth fronds are bright red!
Size
Growing Tips
These plants make a great addition to a greenhouse or indoor pot. Though they are evergreen, they are not frost-tolerant . These ferns like loamy soil with high humidity.
Silver Lady Fern ( Blechnum gibbum )
Identification Characteristics
A hardy fern that grows in the Pacific Islands , Silver Lady Fern is a popular houseplant. Fronds extend from a black scaly trunk.
Leaf Shape
Pinnately compound. Pinnae arc into points.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Likes bright indirect light, high humidity, and warmer temperatures.
Golden Zebra Fern ( Coniogramme emeiensis )
Identification Characteristics
A slowly spreading plant, this is a true stunner! Delicate patterns on the fronds make for a stunning groundcover or houseplant.
Leaf Shape
Pinnae are stretched out hearts with pointed ends and rounded bases.
Color
Dark green with light green or yellow bands
Size
2 feet tall with 4 foot long fronds that grow somewhat horizontally
Growing Tips
This evergreen fern likes partial shade and regular moisture .
Tasmanian Cup Fern ( Cyathea arborea )
Identification Characteristics
An evergreen tree fern, this is one of the world’s largest ferns ! The fronds grow at the top of the trunk. This fern is commonly used to support orchids!
Leaf Shape
Twice-cut pinnately compound
Color
Light green fronds with a dark trunk
Size
Up to 40 feet tall , each frond can be 10 feet long
Growing Tips
Rarely cultivated. In its native range, it grows in open forests and along roadsides.
Australian Tree Fern ( Cyathea cooperi )
Identification Characteristics
Also known by the scientific name, Sphaeropteris cooperi , this fern is so large, it more closely resembles a palm tree. The trunk itself can be a foot in diameter, so this easily falls into the category of tree fern.
Leaf Shape
The twice-cut fronds give this fern a large and lacey appearance
Color
Medium to light green
Size
Growing Tips
This tree fern gives a tropical feel to any landscape. They grow best in areas with warm weather and high humidity (such as Florida). It will love to grow in a shaded garden with well-draining soil and is, overall, relatively low-maintenance.
Silver Tree Fern ( Cyathea dealbata )
Identification Characteristics
Another star in the tree fern group, this plant’s silvery fronds were made famous by the New Zealand rugby team. However, these silvery colors only show up on mature plants. Until they are at least one year old, the fronds appear greener. With a thicker trunk, this fern can also withstand colder temperatures than other tree fern species.
Leaf Shape
Bipinnately compound fronds, tapering to a narrow end
Color
Size
Upwards of 30 feet tall
Growing Tips
This showy fern can brighten a landscape that prefers humus-rich soil and lots of moisture . It does best with indirect light and shelter from the wind.
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Rabbit’s Foot Fern ( Davallia solida var. fejeensis )
Identification Characteristics
An epiphytic fern, this plant couple of unique identifiers. Most notably are the furry rhizomes that grow at the base of the fronds. Giving the fern its adorable name, these will pour over the side of the pot.
Leaf Shape
Multi-pinnate fronds with rounded pinnae
Color
Size
Fronds are between 18-24 inches long.
Growing Tips
Rabbit’s foot fern makes an excellent houseplant. Keep it in a pot or hanging basket with well-draining soil and occasional misting.
Hay-Scented Fern ( Dennstaedtia punctilobula )
Identification Characteristics
Notable as one of the few fragrant ferns on this list, this plant gives off a smell of freshly mown hay when brushed. Common in New England, this is a deciduous fern that turns yellow in the fall.
Leaf Shape
Triangular fronds are multi-pinnate and have a delicate, lacey appearance.
Color
Size
1.5-2 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide
Growing Tips
Hay-scented ferns enjoy partial to full shade and moist, loose, rich soil . Best to plant in early spring.
Tasmanian Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica)
Identification Characteristics
Also called soft tree fern, this evergreen is native to Tasmania that grows to enormous sizes in the wild and can be cultivated for landscape use.
Leaf Shape
Fronds are tri-pinnate with dramatic divisions.
Color
Size
20-30 feet tall with 10 foot long fronds.
Growing Tips
Young plants can be grown in containers, and older trees make a great choice for a more temperate landscape where they can be moved outside in the summer. They prefer partial sun with loose soil .
Crested Buckler Fern ( Dryopteris cristata )
Identification Characteristics
Native to New England’s wetland habitats, this fern creeps along the ground.
Leaf Shape
Bipinnately compound fronds have pinnae that come to large rounded tips.
Color
Leathery green leaves
Size
Growing Tips
Easy to grow in sun or shade. Because it natively lives in wetland ecosystems, the soil does need to be kept moist . Makes a great choice for a rain garden!
Autumn Fern ( Dryopteris erythrosora )
Identification Characteristics
This arching plant is also known as the Japanese shield fern and is a great choice for a groundcover in a shade garden or wooded area.
Leaf Shape
Triangular bipinnate fronds
Color
Glossy green (immature fronds are orange to red)
Size
Growing Tips
Easy to grow in a backyard! This plant likes slightly acidic soils that are kept loose and moist. Like most ferns, they don’t do well in the wind, so keep them in a wind-protected area with partial to full shade .
Marginal Wood Fern ( Dryopteris marginalis )
Identification Characteristics
This evergreen fern is native to North America. It grows in a vase-shaped clump and does not spread easily, making for a great ornamental piece.
Leaf Shape
Bi-pinnately compound with opposite pinnae
Color
Size
1.5-2 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
Like most ferns, partial shade, lots of moisture, and loose rich soil will make a happy marginal wood fern.
Alpine Wood Fern
Alpine Wood Fern ( Dryopteris Wallichiana )
Identification Characteristics
This award-winning fern is certainly eye-catching. It looks like the quintessential fern is almost every way. Fiddleheads unfurl to reveal neat pinnae taper to a delicate point. Easy to grow, you can have upwards of 50 fronds in just a few years. The perfect statement piece.
Leaf Shape
Triangular, bi-pinnately compound
Color
Rich green (immature ferns are light yellow)
Size
3-5 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
This fern does best in partial to full shade in moist, well-draining soil . However, it can be drought-tolerant once established.
Siebold’s Wood Fern ( Dryopteris sieboldii )
Identification Characteristics
Despite the same genus, this fern is distinct from its fellow wood ferns. Not feathery in the slightest, it’s leathery fronds look more like a tongue fern. It will slowly spread in woodlands with dappled light.
Leaf Shape
Simple, broad pinnae come to a point
Color
Size
18-30 inches tall
Growing Tips
This fern enjoys the heat and is a drought-tolerant species.
Horsetail Fern ( Equisetum arvense )
Identification Characteristics
A living fossil, the horsetail fern is the last remaining genus in the class Equisetopsida, and they have not evolved much since the Paleozoic era. They don’t look much like ferns either! More resembling grasses or reeds, they have unbranching hollow tubes.
Leaf Shape
Green stems have brown needle-like appendages.
Color
Green with brown stems
Size
Growing Tips
Easy to grow in the right conditions, horsetail fern is a great choice for a backyard pond or aquascape.
Heart Fern ( Hemionitis arifolia )
Identification Characteristics
Native to Asia, this epiphyte has been used for its medicinal properties. Its name, however, is derived from its unique shaped leaves (especially for a fern!). Heart fern loves a tropical environment and is a popular choice for terrariums and vivariums.
Leaf Shape
Simple heart-shaped leaves
Color
Shiny and dark green
Size
Growing Tips
Since heart fern stays small and loves water, it makes a great choice for a terrarium . It will be a happy houseplant in general, so find any small pot for this forest friend. Be sure to keep this plant moist!
Water Clover Fern ( Marsilea crenata )
Identification Characteristics
This is a small aquatic fern that comes from Asia. It’s a carpeting fern, meaning it will spread out and doesn’t grow very tall. It natively grows alongside rice paddies and is popular as aquarium decor.
Leaf Shape
Simple, ovate pinnae in bundles that resemble clover
Color
Size
Fronds are rarely wider than 1 cm
Growing Tips
A relatively hardy plant, water clover fern can tolerate a varied amount of light. So whatever you have the aquarium set to should work.
Ostrich Fern ( Matteuccia struthiopteris )
Identification Characteristics
With fronds that look like ostrich tail feathers, you can expect a delicate appearance to this fern. Native to areas across the northern hemisphere, this plant makes a great addition to a shade garden.
Leaf Shape
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Ostrich fern needs regular moisture and a more shaded environment . Make sure to keep it in a protected area as it does not like the wind.
Kangaroo Fern ( Microsorum pustulatum )
Identification Characteristics
Named for its resemblance to a Kangaroo’s paw, this epiphytic fern is fittingly native to Australia. The fronds have a leathery texture and a shiny appearance.
Leaf Shape
Color
Bright green with dark green veins
Size
Growing Tips
A popular choice for terrariums, the Kangaroo fern likes indirect light, high humidity, and regular watering .
Lemon Button Fern ( Nephrolepis cordifolia )
Identification Characteristics
The fragrant smell is the perk here! During the growing season, this plant gives off a faintly lemony smell. This fern is also super cute with its ovate leaflets. A smaller fern overall, it works well in terrariums or vivariums.
Leaf Shape
Long fronds with small circular pinnae
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Keep in well-draining soil with high moisture . If growing in a terrarium, mix some rocks in the soil to promote drainage.
Boston Fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata )
Identification Characteristics
The most popular fern for houseplant fans around the world, the Boston fern is relatively easy to care for and beautiful in appearance. The fronds grow straight up initially, but begin to arc over with age, giving the fern a cascading look
Leaf Shape
Long fronds with short serrated pinnae
Color
Size
Growing Tips
While it can be grown outside in more tropical zones, Boston fern is most often kept as a houseplant. Grow in well-draining soil with bright indirect light .
Fishtail Fern ( Nephrolepis falcata furcans )
Identification Characteristics
This tropical fern is an epiphyte native to southeast Asia. The pinnae each look like a small fishtail as they break into segments.
Leaf Shape
Fronds are very long with short alternate pinna with segments at the end.
Color
Size
Fronds are around 3 feet long.
Growing Tips
Best planted in a hanging container , these ferns will be more vibrant if grown in the shade .
Sensitive Fern ( Onoclea sensibilis )
Identification Characteristics
This fern has both sterile and fertile fronds. While the sterile, vegetative fronds die back in the winter, the shorter woody, fertile fronds last throughout the seasons. However, it gets its name from the vegetative fronds that tend to wild as the first fall frost.
Leaf Shape
Triangular with large pinnae
Color
Size
Growing Tips
This plant likes partial to full shade with consistent watering . In ideal conditions, it will spread happily.
Carrot Fern ( Onychium japonicum )
Identification Characteristics
Extremely lacy fronds resemble the greens of a carrot, giving carrot fern its common name. Native to Asia, they can be found in deeply shaded forests.
Leaf Shape
Multi-pinnate fronds. Pinnae are extremely thin and stringy.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
This deciduous, clumping fern grows best in full shade with moist, well-draining soil . Bring indoors for winter.
Interrupted Fern ( Osmunda claytoniana )
Identification Characteristics
Growing in a vase, this fern can be found on wooded slopes, drainages, and sandstone ledges of North America and China. The common name is derived from the spore-bearing pinnae that sprout in the middle of each frond. They fall off after the spores are released in mid-summer.
Leaf Shape
Color
Size
2-3 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
Interrupted ferns prefer humus, moist soils, and partial to full shade .
Royal Fern ( Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis )
Identification Characteristics
With a range across North and South America, this deciduous fern likes to grow near streams. Sometimes it even can be found growing in the water. With enough moisture, it can even grow to be 6 feet tall!
Leaf Shape
Broad fronds with distinctly spaced ovate pinnae.
Color
Medium green fronds turn yellow and brown in the fall.
Size
Growing Tips
Enjoys wet soil and partial shade . Royal fern can survive in full sun in cooler climates with enough moisture.
Cinnamon Fern ( Osmundastrum cinnamomeum )
Identification Characteristics
Native to East Asia and North America, this fern gets its name from fibrous structures at the base of each frond. Unsurprisingly, these fibers are cinnamon-colored. Spore producing fronds quickly turn brown, while the sterile ferns stay green.
Leaf Shape
Triangular, pinnately compound fronds
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Cinnamon ferns are happiest in moist soil and partial to full shade .
Blue Bear’s Paw Fern ( Phlebodium pseudoaureum )
Identification Characteristics
A very tropical looking plant, this fern makes an excellent houseplant. Leathery fronds look unusual as far as ferns go. It’s also known as Blue Rabbit’s Foot Fern and some say it is reminiscent of snow mittens.
Leaf Shape
Pinnae are broad, undulating, and well-spaced.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
This indoor fern likes well-draining acidic soil with consistent moisture and indirect light .
Staghorn Fern ( Platycerium bifurcatum )
Identification Characteristics
The classic epiphytic fern, staghorn ferns have a distinct appearance. The fronds extend from the basal leaf which envelopes the surface it’s growing on. The other leaves look similar to deer antlers, giving the fern its name.
Leaf Shape
Each frond branches into two or three segments that will branch a couple more times.
Color
Light green, the basal frond will turn brown with age.
Size
Growing Tips
Staghorn ferns make a delightful and decorative houseplant. They are mounted on a wood slab with some sphagnum or peat moss to add a medium for the basal frond. They like bright indirect light and to be kept quite moist . To water, soak the entire plant! They absorb water through all their fronds. In between soaks, mist often.
Licorice Fern ( Polypodium glycyrrhiza )
Identification Characteristics
Found commonly in the Pacific Northwest, this fern grows epiphytically. Its favorite trees to grow on are big leaf maples, but you can also find them on rocks and logs.
Leaf Shape
Pinnately compound with alternating pinnae
Color
Size
Growing Tips
A great addition to a landscape, this fern is drought-tolerant and can sustain cooler temperatures .
Christmas Fern ( Polystichum acrostichoides )
Identification Characteristics
Native to eastern North America, this evergreen fern adds beauty all year round. It is common in wooded slopes and drainages. As the name suggests, it can be found thriving at Christmas time.
Leaf Shape
Pinnae are a couple of inches long and come to a sharp point.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Tolerant of dry and moist soil, you can plant outdoor ferns in your garden or keep it in a pot or hanging basket for indoor plants . Keep it in low light areas!
Western Sword Fern ( Polystichum munitum )
Identification Characteristics
One of the most common ferns on the west coast, this fern grows from southern California up to Alaska!
Leaf Shape
Pinnate with leaflets alternating up the stalk with serrated edges
Color
Size
Up to 6 feet tall
Growing Tips
Easy to grow with its high tolerance for different climates and soils , this fern doesn’t even need as much water as most. Great for your outdoor garden!
Long-eared Holly Fern ( Polystichum neolobatum )
Identification Characteristics
Known to be one of the hardiest ferns, the long-eared holly fern is also quite lovely. And it will remain lovely throughout the seasons!
Leaf Shape
Bipinnately compound with pinnae coming to a tapered point.
Color
Shiny and dark green
Size
Growing Tips
Once established, holly fern is quite drought-tolerant, but needs to be kept in the shade . It will tolerate snow and freezing temperatures too!
Japanese Tassel Fern ( Polystichum polyblepharum )
Identification Characteristics
An evergreen fern from Japan and Korea , the tassel fern grows in vase-like clumps and spreads outward.
Leaf Shape
Color
Shiny, dark green
Size
1-2 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
Great for a shady area to decorate your landscape.
Whisk Fern ( Psilotum nudum )
Identification Characteristics
Native to Hawaii, this plant is often called Moa. Some consider it to be more of a pesky plant, but others encourage its growth since it doesn’t overpower its neighbors. These look quite strange and defy expectations of a classic fern. Its scientific name translates to “bare naked” which refers to its lack of leaves. Instead, the plant looks like a maple tree in January or a whisk! The stems are triangular if you cut them horizontally which can be a helpful identification factor.
Leaf Shape
No fronds, branching stems with bright yellow spores.
Color
Dark to medium green
Size
Growing Tips
More humidity tends to create more lush plants, so misting is encouraged . They have more flexible lighting conditions but need warm temperatures .
Eagle or Bracken Fern ( Pteridium aquilinum )
Identification Characteristics
Native across the Northern Hemisphere, this is a deciduous fern, commonly found in woods, fields, agricultural land, and marshes. With its extensive range, it has given rise to twelve distinct varieties depending on where in its range it’s found. New fiddleheads emerge in the spring.
Leaf Shape
Divided and distinctly triangular fronds with 2-3 times pinnately compound. (That’s a lacey plant!)
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Bracken fern has a tendency to take over an area, so it’s rarely intentionally planted. Because of its resilience, it can be grown in areas with poor soil conditions .
Silver Brake Fern ( Pteris argyraea )
Identification Characteristics
Beautiful showy fronds have made this plant so popular among fern lovers. It’s native to Southeast Asia and does best when grown in a climate similar to its tropical home.
Leaf Shape
Twice cut fronds with wide pinnae.
Color
Silvery centers surrounded with bright green edges
Size
Growing Tips
A tropical species that makes a great houseplant, keep this fern friend in a more shaded area that won’t get too cold .
Cretan Brake Fern ( Pteris cretica )
Identification Characteristics
Like others in its genus, brake ferns have spores that develop in an uninterrupted line on the margins of the pinnae. The many cultivated varieties have different colors, but otherwise similar characteristics. These evergreen ferns grow in clumps and produce wiry stalks.
Leaf Shape
Fronds are somewhere between pinnate and palmate, with a few pinnae near the tip of each frond spreading out from a central point like an open hand. The pinnae are thin and long.
Color
Often with a lighter center and dark margins, the leaves can be anywhere from green to purple in color.
Size
Growing Tips
A popular houseplant with a few cultivated varieties, keep your Cretan Brake fern in peat-based soil . They grow best with bright, indirect light and moist soil. Occasional misting will keep your fern happy too!
Chinese Ladder Brake Fern ( Pteris vittata )
Identification Characteristics
Native to East Asia, and introduced to North America, this plant has an interesting power. It seems to grow better with the presence of arsenic and actually compiles the deadly chemical in its fronds. Because of this, it could potentially be of use as a cleanup aid, though it is toxic to humans and other animals.
Leaf Shape
The pinnae of each frond are very long, skinny, and spaced apart.
Color
Size
Growing Tips
Though this plant can grow easily in warm climates, its impact on ecosystems outside of its native range is not entirely clear. The state of Florida lists it as invasive.
Tongue Fern ( Pyrrosia lingua )
Identification Characteristics
An evergreen fern, this plant gets its name for its resemblance to a long skinny tongue. The simple fronds have undulating edges that make it seem like it could have just licked an ice cream cone.
Leaf Shape
Simple, broadleaf fronds on this fern come to a sharp point.
Color
Green with a darker green center vein
Size
12-18 inches tall
Growing Tips
Tongue fern grows in hardiness zones 6-10 but makes a great houseplant anywhere. It can grow on rocky hillsides, logs, or in hanging baskets. Give it soil with good draining , and it won’t require too much work after that!
Leatherleaf Fern ( Rumohra adiantiformis )
Identification Characteristics
Named for its propensity to resist wilting with thick leathery fronds, this plant is extremely popular among florists because it will last in flower arrangements.
Leaf Shape
Twice-cut fronds have pinnae with serrated edges.
Color
Size
3 feet tall and wide
Growing Tips
Great as both a groundcover in the garden or in a hanging basket in your house, leatherleaf fern is easy to grow. It does require regular watering and partial shade , and it does best in hardiness zones 9-11. Cut back old fronds when new ones begin to grow.
Kidney Fern ( Hymenophyllum nephrophyllum )
Identification Characteristics
Endemic to New Zealand, this is a broadleaf fern with an interesting adaptation to conserve water. Hot, arid weather causes them to shrivel up, and they reopen when precipitation returns. The leaves are extremely thin, only a few cells thick! It can grow on the forest floor along with tree trunks as an epiphyte.
Leaf Shape
As you might expect from the name, the fronds are kidney-shaped!
Color
Bright green, with a shiny almost translucent look
Size
Each frond is between 3-10 centimeters in diameter.
Growing Tips
Growing in the dense forests of New Zealand, this plant is not propagated commercially . The Maori people use it as a perfume and medicine.
Giant Chain Fern ( Woodwardia fimbriata )
Identification Characteristics
The largest fern in North America, the Giant Chain fern is native to the West Coast. Depending on growing conditions, it can be either deciduous or evergreen. The name “chain” comes from the neat lines that the spores are arranged in along the underside of each frond.
Leaf Shape
Fronds are simple but with large, dramatic lobes that come to a point.
Color
Light green and turns yellow in colder parts of its range where it is deciduous.
Size
4-6 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide
Growing Tips
A great plant for landscaping, this fern enjoys sunnier areas and to be watered somewhat frequently (think at least once each week).
With upwards of 10,000 species of ferns worldwide, the 50 we’ve listed here barely scratches the surface. However, these are some of the most remarkable and memorable ferns, and many can be grown as houseplants or in your garden!
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15 Best Ferns to Grow Outdoors
Ferns are some of the oldest living plants, growing in a wide range of cold, temperate, and tropical climates around the world. There are at least 12,000 species, from miniature to towering tree forms. These ancient plants, which evolved before flowering plants, reproduce from leaf spores rather than seed.
There are many fern types that can thrive in your landscape. Most ferns prefer shady, moist conditions and are low maintenance, with few pests or diseases. Ferns pair well with many other shade plants, as a serene green backdrop or taking center stage. Here are some of the best outdoor ferns to grow, along with outdoor growing tips.
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TYPES OF OUTDOOR FERNS
Ferns can be hardy or tropical, with evergreen, deciduous, herbaceous, or semi-evergreen forms. Here are some different types of outdoor ferns to grow:
Photo by Mauro Rodrigues / Shutterstock.
AUSTRALIAN TREE FERN (Cyathea cooperi, syn. Sphaeropteris cooperi)
Zones: 9-11
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 15 to 25 feet tall, 10 to 12 feet wide
Exposure: Partial or dappled sun to shade
This evergreen tender perennial has a tall tree-like trunk with large finely textured fronds that create an umbrella-like canopy. Use as a dramatic focal point in a Mediterranean-style landscape, in borders or containers.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
AUTUMN FERN (Dryopteris erythrosora)
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
This colorful fern is named for the coppery-orange tones that occur on the new foliage in spring, giving it a fall-like appearance. Attractive triangular fronds mature to dark green as the season progresses. Plant this semi-evergreen perennial in a woodland border or container. Suitable for small spaces.
Photo by Young Swee Ming / Shutterstock
CHRISTMAS FERN (Polystichum acrostichoides)
Zones: 3-8
Habit: Mounding clumping habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Native to eastern North America, this hardy evergreen fern is named for its resilience to early season snow. Deep green, leathery foliage is deeply dissected, standing upright to form a lush fountain-like crown. Plant in a woodland shade border or as a ground cover. Cut fronds can be used in Christmas floral arrangements.
Photo by Todd Boland / Shutterstock
CINNAMON FERN (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum)
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
This native deciduous fern produces upright spore-bearing fronds that that turn brown, with sterile green fronds that emerge around the base. Cinnamon fern is named for the cinnamon-colored fibers found near the base of the fronds. Mass this moisture-loving deciduous fern along a stream or pond, or in a shade border.
Photo by Vankich1 / Shutterstock
HAIRY LIP FERN (Cheilanthes lanosa syn. Myriopteris lanosa)
Zones: 5-8
Habit: Compact creeping habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 inches tall, 8 to 15 inches wide
Exposure: Full to partial sun
One of the few sun-loving ferns, this exceptionally drought-tolerant native occurs on rocky outcrops and crevices in the east, midwest, and southern U.S. The finely dissected olive-green fronds and compact habit make this a good companion for alpine plants. Prefers gritty, well-drained soil. Plant in a rock garden, dry border, or container. Evergreen in milder climates and deer resistant.
Photo by guentermanaus / Shutterstock
HART’S TONGUE FERN (Asplenium scolopendrium)
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 12 to 18 inches tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Sword-shaped rippled fronds are undivided for a robust appearance. The bright green foliage forms a neat clump, with brown spores creating a distinct ribbed pattern on the undersides. Use this diminutive evergreen fern in a rock garden, container, as edging, or massed as a groundcover.
Photo by Svetlana Mahovskaya.
HOLLY FERN (Cyrtomium falcatum, syn. Aspidium falcatum)
Zones: 7-11
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Holly fern is named for the resemblance of the glossy leaves to holly shrub. The thick leathery fronds stay evergreen in warmer regions. Plant in a shade border, rock garden, or naturalize along a pond or stream.
Photo by Janet Loughrey.
JAPANESE PAINTED FERN (Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum)
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright arching habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Also known as painted lady fern, this reliable deciduous perennial is grown for the patterned foliage in shades of silver, green, and burgundy. Pairing well with many other shade-loving perennials, Japanese painted fern is versatile in woodland borders, mass plantings, as pathway edging, or in containers.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
LADY FERN (Athyrium filix-femina)
Zones: 4-8
Habit: Arching vase-shaped habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2-1/2 feet wide
Exposure: Part sun to shade
Lady fern produces vibrant green triangular fronds with green, red, or purple stems. This hardy deciduous fern is low maintenance and free of pests and diseases. Naturalize in a woodland border, or along a stream or pond.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
MAIDENHAIR FERN (Adiantum spp.)
Zones: 3-11
Habit: Mounding or spreading habit
Height/Spread: 6 to 36 inches tall, 12 to 36 inches wide
Exposure: Part sun to shade
Delicate feathery green fronds add fine texture to the landscape. This deciduous perennial can be naturalized as a ground cover or in rock walls where moisture is present. Plant in a shady woodland border, rain garden, or container. May also be grown as a houseplant.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
OSTRICH FERN (Matteuccia struthiopteris)
Zones: 3-7
Habit: Upright clumping habit
Height/Spread: 3 to 6 feet tall, 3 to 4 feet wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
The long feathery fronds are reminiscent of ostrich plumes, hence the common name. New growth unfurls gracefully in spring with a vase-shaped habit that adds elegance to the landscape. Naturalize this hardy deciduous fern in a woodland setting, bog garden, or near a pond or stream.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
ROYAL FERN (Osmunda spectabilis, syn. O. regalis)
Zones: 3-9
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Named for its elegant structure and texture, royal fern produces tall stands of deeply dissected fronds. Rusty brown fertile spikes accentuate the bright green foliage, which turns reddish brown in fall. Plant in a shade border, rain garden, or along a stream or pond.
Photo by Nikolay Kurzenko / Shutterstock
SENSITIVE FERN (Onoclea sensibilis)
Zones: 4-9
Habit: Upright spreading habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 3 feet tall, 2 to 4 feet wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
This hardy deciduous fern is named for its sensitivity to frost. Deeply lobed pale-green fronds emerge in spring from rhizomes, with fertile fronds turning brown in late summer. Grow this easy-care perennial in a cool moist location such as a bog, pond, or water garden.
Photo by Janet Loughrey
STAGHORN FERN (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Zones: 9-12
Habit: Spreading habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Staghorn fern, named for the thick green fronds that grow in an antler-like structure, is a slow-growing epiphyte typically grown on a plaque. This tropical, native to Australia and Asia, is slow growing, but becomes an impressive size once it reaches maturity. Display as a decorative accent on a wall or fence outdoors in warmer months and overwinter indoors as a houseplant.
Photo by Danita Delimont / Shutterstock
WESTERN SWORD FERN (Polystichum munitum)
Zones: 5-9
Habit: Mounding arching habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 4 feet tall and wide
Exposure: Partial to full shade
Native to western North America, this fern is characterized by long, lance-shaped foliage with deeply dissected leaves. Plants are evergreen or semi-evergreen, with dense clumps of fronds emerging from a crown of scaly rhizomes. Grow underneath shade trees or naturalize in a woodland garden. Adaptable to different soils and is somewhat drought tolerant.
GROWING FERNS OUTDOORS
There are many fern varieties available to home gardeners that are suited to outdoor conditions. Some tender ferns can be overwintered indoors as a houseplant in colder climates. When given the right conditions, ferns are easy to grow. Needs vary depending on the variety, so research individual ferns to make sure you are giving them the best care. Here are some basic growing tips:
Light: Choose a partially shaded site such as underneath a tree or on the north or east side of a home. Some ferns prefer more light, while others can tolerate more shade. Full sun may cause leaf scorch.
Soil: Provide well-draining soil that is amended with compost or other rich organic matter. Most ferns prefer a slightly acidic pH. For containers, use a high-quality, all-purpose potting mix and make sure pots have adequate drainage holes.
Water: Ferns prefer moist soil, though not soggy. Allow soil to dry out slightly in between waterings. Containers dry out more quickly, so will need more frequent water.
Fertilize: Ferns need little or no supplemental fertilizer. In early spring, mulch around the base of plants with a thin layer of compost, pine bark, or pine needles.
Pests and diseases: When grown outdoors, ferns experience few pests or diseases. Inspect plants on occasion and treat symptoms accordingly. (See more on garden pests and diseases.)
Photo by Proven Winners
WHAT ABOUT ASPARAGUS FERN?
While not a true fern, asparagus fern (Asparagus spp.) is grown for its feathery green leaves that create an airy effect. This tender herbaceous perennial can be grown outdoors year-round in frost-free zones, treated as an annual in colder zones, or grown as a houseplant. Display in a hanging basket or container.
Zones: 9-11
Habit: Upright bushy habit
Height/Spread: 1 to 3 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 4 feet wide
Exposure: Partial sun outdoors, bright indirect light indoors
Note: There are several species of asparagus fern, with some listed as highly invasive in many areas when grown outdoors. Check locally to see if this is an issue where you are.