Nephrolepis, Giant Sword Fern, Macho Fern 'Macho'

Nephrolepisbiserrata

Genus
Nephrolepis (nef-roh-LEP-iss)
Species
biserrata (by-ser-AY-tuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Provides Winter Interest
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
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
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Patent Information
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:

Cabo Rojo,

Enterprise, Alabama

Fairhope, Alabama

Gurley, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Pike Road, Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Clayton, California

San Diego, California

Apopka, Florida

Atlantic Beach, Florida

Bartow, Florida

Brandon, Florida

Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater Beach, Florida

Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)

Gulf Breeze, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Lehigh Acres, Florida

Maitland, Florida

Miami, Florida

Naples, Florida

North Port, Florida

Palm Coast, Florida

Pompano Beach, Florida(2 reports)

Port Charlotte, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Vero Beach, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Yulee, Florida

Ray City, Georgia

Tennille, Georgia

Warner Robins, Georgia

Kihei, Hawaii

Derby, Kansas

Greenwell Springs, Louisiana

Gretna, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pollock, Louisiana

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Columbia, South Carolina

Florence, South Carolina(2 reports)

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

Summerville, South Carolina

Dickson, Tennessee

Hendersonville, Tennessee

Broaddus, Texas

Canyon Lake, Texas

Corpus Christi, Texas

Dripping Springs, Texas

Rosenberg, Texas

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
Sort By:
Sort By:
K
K
San Leandro, CA (Zone 9b) | February 2019 | neutral

Per Irene Ngoo at Min's Garden @tropicaljungle in Singapore:
"Macho ferns, also known as 'giant sword' or 'broad sword' ferns, imp...Read More

F
Pompano Beach, FL | March 2017 | neutral

I originally purchased this plant because it's large fronds would add to the tropical jungle look of my garden. Unfortunately it took off...Read More

T
Corpus Christi, TX | July 2015 | positive

I just impulse purchased this HUGE fern as it was love at first sight!! NOWWWWWW what do I do with it!? It looks amazing in the hanging n...Read More

L
Lakewood, OH | October 2011 | positive

I live in Cleveland, Ohio - clearly not a place where I can keep this spectacular fern outdoors year round. However, it makes a wonderful...Read More

1
Campbellton, TX | April 2011 | positive

Transplanted my beautiful Macho Fern into a wheel barrel (with holes punched out for drainage). She's huge, easy to move around. Believ...Read More

T
Canyon Lake, TX | October 2010 | positive

If you want a really Tropical look, the Macho Fern is the one you need. I have one in a 12 inch basket, another in a very large Mexican C...Read More

M
Yulee, FL (Zone 9a) | November 2009 | positive

Planted a couple of them in a flower bed under an oak tree two years ago. The first winter they died back a little; last winter (2009) wa...Read More

B
Fort Lauderdale, FL | April 2009 | positive

This fern, if grown in a rich soil and watered and fertilized regularly, can have fronds of almost six feet, which makes it a spectacular...Read More

A
A
Florence, SC (Zone 8b) | September 2008 | positive

I love this macho fern. It has blessed me for some months now. I so much wish that everyone has the same experience with this fine specim...Read More

S
Broaddus, TX (Zone 8b) | January 2005 | positive

Southeast, TX, Zone 8b Received rooted cutting of Macho Fern.
Had no culture or name for this beautiful fern. I potted upon rece...Read More

S
Tampa, FL (Zone 9b) | August 2004 | positive

This is absolutely gorgeous in my front yard bedding area. It gets a wee bit of sun in the morning on one side and a wee bit more on the ...Read More

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