Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Ferns Difficulty: Easy
📖 About this plant
The classic, quintessential fern from which the famous Boston fern was derived. Features long, arching, dark green fronds with evenly spaced leaflets. Extremely adaptable and vigorous, it has been a beloved houseplant since Victorian times. Excellent at removing indoor air pollutants.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
☀️
Light
Partial shade to full shade (2-5 hrs)
💧
Water
Every 1-2 weeks
💨
Humidity
Moderate to high (50-70%)
🌡️
Temperature
10-24°C
🪴
Soil
Rich, well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite and organic matter
🧪
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during growing season
🌐 Common Names
HI
Hindi
स्वॉर्ड फर्न
BN
Bengali
সোয়ার্ড ফার্ন
MR
Marathi
स्वॉर्ड फर्न
TE
Telugu
స్వార్డ్ ఫెర్న్
TA
Tamil
ஸ்வோர்ட் ஃபெர்ன்
GU
Gujarati
સ્વૉર્ડ ફર્ન
UR
Urdu
سورڈ فرن
KN
Kannada
ಸ್ವಾರ್ಡ್ ಫರ್ನ್
OR
Odia
ସ୍ଵାର୍ଡ ଫର୍ନ
ML
Malayalam
സ്വോർഡ് ഫേൺ
PA
Punjabi
ਸਵਾਰਡ ਫਰਨ
AS
Assamese
স্বৰ্ড ফাৰ্ন
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide; the wild type is native to the Americas
- 📏 Max height
- 60-120 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 60-120 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Non-flowering
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Non-flowering (produces spores)
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Moderate
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Division of clumps; separation of runners/stolons; spore propagation
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans and pets
Common issues
- Yellowing fronds from overwatering
- Scale insects and mealybugs
- Frond browning from salt buildup
💡 Care tips
- Classic upright fern with long arching dark green fronds
- One of the most forgiving ferns for beginner gardeners
- Remove old brown fronds at the base to keep plants tidy
- Drought-tolerant once established but prefers regular moisture
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 14 days.
