Nephrolepis exaltata

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Plant
ID 459 Nephrolepis exaltata
Botanic Name Nephrolepis exaltata
Common Name Sword Fern, Boston Fern
Family Name Polypodiaceae
Cultivars 'Bostoniensis', 'Elegantissima', 'Fluffy Ruffles', 'Bostoniensis Compacta'
Origin South America, Mexico, Zone 8-11
Growth Type Fern
Bark Type Stemless / Acaulescent
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use High
No. of Species
Growth Habit Clumping Growth Rate Fast
Height 1 - 2.5 m (3 - 8 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This perennial fern and its cultivars have upright arching fronds that form a pendulous habit (bushy fountain of fronds). It has long divided fishbone-like dark green fronds with blackish stems and the fertile fronds appear during summer.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Bipinnate
The wiry stemmed bipinnate fronds can grow to 2.5 m (7 ft) long and may have a yellow tint. The leaflets (segments) are usually lanceolate and may be divided again with acute apex.
Arrangement Opposite
Margin Entire
Colour Dark green
Size 500 - 2500 mm ( 19.7 - 98.4 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape
The rounded sori are arranged along the veins on fertile fronds and the indusium is reniform. They appear during midsummer.
Inflorescence Sori
Colour Brown
Size 0 - 0 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Sporangium Additional Information
Colour Brown
The curved sori are in a single row on the underside of the fertile frond. The spores are produced in the sporangium during the sporophyte stage of the fern life cycle in rows. The spores are very small (like fine dust).
Edible No
Bird Attractive No
Size 0.5 - 0.7 mm ( 0.0 - 0.0 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moist, organic rich sandy to loamy soil, acidic, pH 6.0-7.0
Container Pots, tubs, hanging baskets, indoor or under glass in cold climates
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Filtered sun to semi-shade, wind protected, frost tender, light drought tolerant
Pest & Diseases Brown scale, mealy bugs, fern scale, slugs, snails and leaf burn, whiteflies
Fertiliser Regular light application of liquid fertiliser and mulch with leaf mould, keep moist
Pruning Remove dead fronds to ground level as required,
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Sword Fern is grown for its foliage and is planted in shaded gardens or rockeries as a specimen. It is also is planted in rainforest settings for a tropical effect and establishes in 1 to 2 years.
Place spores on sterilised sphagnum or peat moss then cover with glass and keep moist for 4 to 6 weeks maintaining a temperature of 16 C (61 F) with indirect light. Cleanliness is essential during the propagation process.
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