Nephrolepis Species, Sword Fern

Nephrolepisexaltata

Genus
Nephrolepis (nef-roh-LEP-iss)
Species
exaltata (eks-all-TAY-tuh)
Synonym
Nephrolepis exaltata subsp. exaltata
Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none
Bloom Time
N/A
Other Details
Category
Ferns
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Prattville, Alabama

Satsuma, Alabama

El Cerrito, California

Lakewood, California

Merced, California

Santa Barbara, California

Temecula, California

VALLEY VILLAGE, California

Apopka, Florida

Bartow, Florida

Citra, Florida

Fort Myers, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Keystone Heights, Florida

Kissimmee, Florida

Lakeland, Florida

Melbourne, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida

Sebring, Florida

Winter Springs, Florida

Yulee, Florida

Zephyrhills, Florida

Las Vegas, Nevada

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Austin, Texas(3 reports)

Brownsville, Texas

Houston, Texas(2 reports)

Marble Falls, Texas

Mcallen, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Herndon, Virginia

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

6
positives
4
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
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C
ROSLINDALE, MA | July 2016 | neutral

Native to South America, Central America, Mexico, the west Indies, Florida, Africa, and Polynesia. Naturalized in AZ, TX, LA, AR, and AL....Read More

D
Dearborn Heights, MI (Zone 6a) | April 2016 | neutral

Nephrolepis exaltata, the Sword Fern.
Confused with Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis' (Boston Fern)
The species has erect...Read More

C
C
| February 2010 | positive

Useful plant for lush-looking planting schemes. I find it grows in sun or shade and seems just as happy in a container (even with no pot...Read More

T
Hilliard, OH (Zone 6b) | November 2007 | neutral

i just save a bosten fern from a cold death at my grandmas house. it was very large untill i had to cut it back. it had gone through a cu...Read More

C
El Sobrante, CA (Zone 9b) | February 2007 | positive

This fern has thrived here in zone 9b, growing against the wall of the house where it is shaded from the full sun. Watered daily. Commonl...Read More

S
Wesley Chapel, FL (Zone 9a) | January 2006 | positive

I grow 2 of these plants, in large urns. They get late afternoon sun, and they do wonderful. The fronds were damaged in the winter, from ...Read More

T
Piedmont, MO (Zone 6a) | April 2004 | positive

The long things are runners, and you are correct...they do make baby plants when they touch the ground (usually this only occurs outdoors...Read More

T
| April 2004 | positive

We have a large specimen of this plant which thrives on the top of a Welsh dresser in our south facing lounge, although it is never in fu...Read More

X
X
Sebring, FL (Zone 9b) | August 2003 | positive

It spreads aggressively by underground runners in moist, partly to mostly shady sites in Central Florida. It can be invasive and take ov...Read More

S
Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) | August 2002 | neutral

This plant likes a moist but not soggy, soil, rich in organic matter. It is the most drought tolerant of the commonly cultivated ferns, b...Read More

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