Why bother with all these odd ferns when Boston ferns are so beautiful and versatile? Well, Boston ferns are like vanilla ice cream … everyone's favorite that goes with everything. They really are great. But these miscellaneous ferns are like all the other great flavors of ice cream … they may not be suitable with everything, but they fill a specific need perfectly. And they offer such diversity and style, many of them lend a feel of the deep tropics to your home. Even though they represent a diverse group of plants, most of the tropical ferns have the same growing requirements. As a whole, ferns do not like direct sun, especially in the heat of the afternoon. On the other hand, they do need good light in order to grow well. All ferns will thrive in a quality, peat-based potting soil such as Exceloam, even though in nature some varieties are epiphytes, growing on other plants instead of in the soil. They all like to be kept moist and they all resent being kept too wet. In the winter, they can be kept a little drier. Ferns enjoy high humidity and like to be misted daily or kept on a humidity tray. Whenever providing water or humidity, try to use room temperature water. Tap and well water around our area tend to be alkaline and ferns like it neutral to slightly acid. When possible, use distilled water. Ferns do well in average indoor temperatures and can tolerate even warmer temperatures if the air is humid. Temperatures below about 50º will damage most ferns. Feed your ferns every 3-4 weeks with a half strength water-soluble fertilizer. Ferns aren't often bothered by insects, which is fortunate since they are sensitive to most insecticides. Watch for occasional problems with scale or mealy bugs and use gentle chemicals such as insecticidal soap or pyrethrins. Be sure to read the label before applying any insecticide. Disease is rarely a problem either, unless the plant is frequently overwatered. Ferns are most often propagated by division. Instead of producing seeds, they produce spores. The spores will look like rows of brown dots on the back of mature leaves. Here is a little extra information about some of the most popular miscellaneous ferns.

Rabbit's Foot Davallia There are several varieties of ‘footed’ ferns, including Rabbit, Hare and Bear. They all derive their names from the furry rhizomes that grow from the base of the plant along the ground or over the sides of the container. Some have a low, sprawling habit while others are upright. Size can vary greatly.

Bird's Nest Asplenium nidus These are great! Thick, broad, glossy, new, undivided leaves emerge from the center of the plant unfurling from amazing fiddleheads. In nature, these plants are epiphytes that grow on the bark of trees in New Zealand. Be sure to give them some room because they can get several feet tall and wide.

Maidenhair Adiantum There are several members of this family, all with incredibly delicate soft green foliage. Maidenhair ferns have thin, wiry stems that are usually black or dark brown. The fronds are small and fan shaped, rarely more than a foot tall and wide.

Button Pellaea rotundifolia Button ferns are also known as Cliff Brake ferns. They have dark, wiry stems with small round glossy leaves that alternate along the sides of the stem. Button ferns are low growing and are great in terrariums. While they like humidity, they hate having their foliage get wet.

Holly a.k.a. Fishtail Cyrtomium falcatum Getting their name from the shape of the leaves, holly ferns grow rather upright with stiff, glossy bright green foliage. The stems are dark and hairy. They can reach 2 feet,  but more commonly stay around a foot. They are tough plants but they hate the products designed to make leaves shine, especially sprays.

Moss Selaginella kraussiana This plant truly is unique in that it is neither a true fern or a true moss. It looks like moss that has been magnified, growing in low mats. It is great in terrariums.

Asparagus Asparagus densiflorous 'Sprengeri' Sometimes this is also referred to as Sprengeri fern but it is not a true fern.

Tree Dicksonia There are several different ferns called tree ferns because of their upright growth habit. Most will actually form trunks as they mature and can grow several feet tall. Give them plenty of room and remove lower leaves as they become unsightly.

Staghorn Platycerium There are several variations of this fern too, including Staghorn, Elkshorn and Antelope Ears. All form two types of leaves: Large, thick, fleshy, forked fronds that resemble horns and flat, sterile fronds that are like plates around the base of the plant. They are native to Australia where they are epiphytic, growing on the bark of trees. They can be kept slightly drier than most other ferns and can be grown on sphagnum moss attached to a board or in a humus-rich soil.

Brake a.k.a. Table or Ribbon Pteris There are hundreds of species of pteris ferns and many of them make good indoor plants. Most have upright habits and fine, coarsely-divided foliage held up on tall slender stems. Several varieties have attractive variegation. They make good plants for mixed planters or large terrariums.

Recommended Products
Quality Ferns in Various Sizes
Bachman's Exceloam Potting Soil
Artificial Lights for Indoor Gardening
Safe and Effective Insecticides
Excel Gro™ Water Soluble Fertilizer
Containers and Saucers

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