Nephrolepis, Australian Sword Fern 'Kimberly Queen'

Nephrolepisobliterata

Genus
Nephrolepis (nef-roh-LEP-iss)
Species
obliterata (ob-lit-er-RAY-tuh)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Grown for foliage
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 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
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Ferns
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Suitable for growing in containers
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From spores
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:

Dothan, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Bellflower, California

Carlsbad, California

Cupertino, California

Lompoc, California

Norwalk, California

San Francisco, California

Sebastopol, California

Woodland, California

Auburndale, Florida

Cape Coral, Florida

Crawfordville, Florida

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Holiday, Florida

Pensacola, Florida

Safety Harbor, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Winter Haven, Florida

Shawnee Mission, Kansas

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Severna Park, Maryland

Biloxi, Mississippi

Pearl River, New York

Liberty, North Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Orangeburg, South Carolina

Saint Helena Island, South Carolina

Clarksville, Tennessee

Murfreesboro, Tennessee(2 reports)

Pikeville, Tennessee

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Chandler, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Deer Park, Texas

Giddings, Texas

Houston, Texas

Huffman, Texas

Manchaca, Texas

Nome, Texas

Spicewood, Texas

Whitehouse, Texas

Richmond, Virginia

show all

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Gardener's Notes:

12
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
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V
(Zone 8a) | May 2021 | positive

I prefer Kimberley (note spelling) to Boston fern b/c it has a more upright growth pattern. I grow mine in a hanging basket, wouldn’t ...Read More

J
Hilton Head, SC (Zone 9a) | February 2020 | negative

I know that everybody loves this fern, but in my zone 8b garden, it is a pest. I grew it in a bed with other ferns that get some morning ...Read More

L
North Hollywood, CA (Zone 9b) | July 2016 | positive

I have grown this fern in pots for many years. It has been very durable and I've divided it many times. I live in the San Fernando Vall...Read More

C
ROSLINDALE, MA | July 2016 | positive

This is perhaps the easiest, toughest, most adaptable of ferns, especially for container or bedding use and as a houseplant. Though it's ...Read More

B
Severna Park, MD | July 2014 | positive

I bought 2 of these ferns in May of 2014. They are in their original containers from Home Depot and sit on my front porch with no direct ...Read More

O
Sebastopol, CA | May 2011 | positive

On my Nephrolepis Ocliterata stems, coming from soil to up to 4 or 5", I see a fine fur type pollen like substance. It looks like fine ...Read More

M
Orangeburg, SC | February 2010 | positive

I GROW THIS FERN VERY WELL IN MY LOCATION.
I DO KEEP IT IN THE GREENHOUSE DURING WINTER.
WE CAN GET DOWN TO 15F. I WATER I...Read More

K
Baton Rouge, LA | May 2009 | neutral

We asked at the nursery for a fern that could take sun and was told Kimberly Queen would. We planted two in pots at my front door where ...Read More

J
Auburndale, FL (Zone 9b) | January 2009 | positive

A friend gave us this plant in spring 2008. We hung it on the east side of a laurel oak and it gets filtered eastern and southern light. ...Read More

D
D
Whitehouse, TX | July 2008 | positive

A GREAT plant!! Easily divided....I bought a couple of large pots at a Walmart clearance sale...took them home and used my butcher knife...Read More

S
(Zone 10a) | August 2005 | positive

This is a great plant! I have it outside, along the house, and it gets afternoon sun, and regular water.. It doesnt really spread (well t...Read More

G
Houston, TX (Zone 8b) | August 2005 | positive

Australian sword fern has so far proven itself to be a tough and adaptable plant in my garden (NW Houston, borderline zone 8/9). I have ...Read More

G
Austin, TX | October 2004 | positive

This is the everlast fern where I grew up in Texas (Houston) Clumps of this delicate looking fern would be all that was left of abandonde...Read More

W
Spicewood, TX (Zone 8b) | June 2004 | positive

I've only had these a month, but so far they're terrific! I put them in two large terra cotta pots at the front end of my porch where th...Read More

Featured
Leaf beetle
(Cryptocephalus tetraspilus)
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Featured
Leaf beetle
(Cryptocephalus tetraspilus)
Florida Scrub Jay
(Aphelocoma coerulescens)