A variety of indoor ferns add a lush, tropical look to any room. This diverse group of plants comes in a variety of colors and textures, including delicate, lacy leaves and smooth, firm leaves. Here are his nine recommendations to get started, as well as tips for indoor fern care and display ideas.
Stag fern
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This indoor fern is gaining attention for two reasons. As its name suggests, it has forked leaves that resemble antlers and its unique growth. Staghorn is an epiphyte, which means that in nature it grows on other plants (but is not parasitic on the host plant). Therefore, there is no need to grow it in a pot filled with soil like other plants. Instead, use it as a statement display, such as by attaching it to a board on the wall. Just like you would aerate your plants, mist them daily or soak them weekly.
Name: Platycerium bifurcatum
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: up to 3 feet tall and wide
ginkgo fern
Jay Wilde
Maidenhair has a reputation for being somewhat difficult to grow indoors. That's because it likes moisture, which means it needs lots of water and moisture. So, if you are someone who overwaters too often, this is the plant for you. When misted once or twice daily, these ferns produce fine-textured leaves on long, black, wiry stems.
Name: Adiantum radiantum
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide
lemon button fern
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This indoor fern has small, golden-green, rounded leaflets (the button-like appearance from which it gets its name) and is as adorable as a button. The long, arched leaves are suitable for hanging baskets and tabletop terrariums. Plain plants add richness to any decorating style.
Name: Nephrolepiscordifolia 'Lemon Button'
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: up to 3 feet tall by 4 feet wide
kangaroo paw fern
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Glossy, dark green leaves grow into wild mounds reminiscent of Medusa's hair. This indoor fern, native to Australia, gets its name from its long leaves that resemble large kangaroo feet. It features a thick rhizome that creeps up the side of the container, like a rabbit's foot fern.
Name: Microsolium diversifolium (also known as Fimatosorus)
Growing Conditions: Moderate to bright light and average humidity.
Size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide
Crocodile fern
Jay Wilde
The band-shaped, bright green leaves (called lobes in ferns) have a distinctly reptilian, scale-like appearance and are not what most people imagine of a fern. Alligator fern leaves also explain its common name. When fully grown, it has quite a presence, often reaching 2 to 3 feet in length.
Name: Microsolium mucifolium 'Crocodilus'
Growing conditions: moderate to low light, high humidity
Size: up to 3 feet tall and wide
rabbit's foot fern
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This beautiful indoor fern has dark green, fine-textured, elegant-looking leaves and fuzzy, root-like stems (rhizomes) that creep along the sides of the pot and into the soil. Gray-white hairs cover the rhizomes, giving it its common name. Display these ferns in hanging planters to show off (or stroke) their rhizomes.
Name: Humata Tiamanyi
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: up to 2 feet tall and wide
bird nest fern
phoebe cheong
Leathery leaves with wavy edges radiate out from the center of the plant, creating a striking vase shape that vaguely resembles a nest. These indoor ferns prefer high humidity, so they're a great plant to grow in your bathroom if you have a window with plenty of indirect light.
Name: Asplenium nidus
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: Up to 5 feet tall and wide (but typically 1 to 2 feet indoors)
silver brake fern
Jay Wilde
We love the two-tone foliage of this eye-catching plant, which also goes by the names silver lace fern and slender brake fern. Each leaf has several thin leaflets with a pale silver band in the middle. There is also a crest (or branching) at the tip of the leaflet. To keep this moisture-loving indoor fern happy, don't let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
Name: Pteris cretica 'Mayi'
Growing conditions: moderate to bright light and high humidity
Size: up to 2 feet tall and wide
cotton candy boston fern
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Boston ferns make excellent houseplants because they don't require much attention other than regular watering and bright, indirect light. It has coarsely textured leaves and grows quite large when mature. Some varieties remain small (like 'Cotton Candy' shown here, which is popular for its ultra-fine, feathery leaves).
Name: Nephrolepis exaltata 'Cotton Candy'
Growing Conditions: Moderate to bright light and average humidity.
Size: up to 1 foot in height and width
Ornamental plants that add greenery to your home
Indoor plants are exactly what your home needs to add a natural element that warms up the room and adds an outdoor feel. If you're new to caring for plants, these low-maintenance options will help you get started. For flower lovers, these colorful blooming plants bring a pop of color to your space. High ceilings can make a room feel cold and bleak, but adding a tall plant or two, especially in the corners, can easily fix that problem. To help your indoor plants grow, choose the right fertilizer and follow these tips for optimal watering.
Choose a planter that matches your coordination
Choose unique textured or colorful planters to match your interior design. You can use vintage or salvaged items for planters. Just add drainage holes to prevent root rot. You can add interesting shapes by creating unique hanging planters, such as trellis wall planters or conversation-starting air plant mobiles. If your houseplants are starting to take over your home, it may be time to create a garden room where they can live happily together.