Indoor ferns form the basis of any plant arrangement.
Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
The Bird's Nest Ferns are prized for their fresh green glossy leaves, they are handsome specimen plants that will look good and give pleasure all year round.
They originate from tropical Asia and Australia, where they grow out of cracks in the sides of cliffs or from the forks in tree branches. Fronds usually grow to 45cm (18") long and 8cm (3") wide.
The plants increase in size by sending up more fronds from the centre of the plant.
Bird's Nest Fern is a bold and handsome plant so grow it on its own where it can be admired for it's fresh glossy green foliage. Placed on a table in an east facing window will bring out the best in this plant.
General Care
Quite easy to grow, remove older leaves as new ones appear, re potting every other year in the spring. Water well during the growing season but do not leave standing in water, feeding with a standard plant food once a month.
Do not place in bright sunlight, keep warm and out of draughts
and stand on a saucer full of pebbles to provide the humidity this plant needs.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum farleyense)
This is a very long lasting fern, the delicate foliage hides its hardiness. As long as the plant is kept moist and not allowed to dry out this plants will provide years of pleasure.
This is one of the old Victorian ferns that every household had in their hallway or sitting room in a large wedgewood blue
ceramic pot.
General Care
Easy to grow, keep compost moist at all times without over watering, feeding monthly with a general fertilizer. Keep in a cool moist atmosphere away from any draughts.
Sword Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata)
The Sword Fern has luxuriant and elegant fronds that drape over the side of the plant pot or hanging basket.
Their leaves or fronds are evergreen and cut into spiky shapes growing up to 1m (3ft) long.
There are many varieties but the most common is the Boston fern Nephrolepsis exalta Bostoniensis.
Small plant can be grown on a shaded windowsill, but the larger plant will look impressive placed in the centre of a round table. Like most ferns, Sword Ferns will not tolerate dry air, so stand them on a tray of moist pebbles and mist over regularly using a spray filled with soft water.
General Care
Easy to grow, providing good indirect light and humidity are available. Water regularly during the summer months, not letting the plant dry out. Feed with a liquid fertilizer once every two weeks from March to August.
Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
The Asparagus Fern produces delicate and elegant trailing stems with luxuriant needles. Easy to care for it will thrive in east and west facing windows.
The stems are naturally trailing and covered in small needles these are not true leaves but are stems performing the same function as leaves.
Tiny white flowers appear in the autumn. They have no perfume and are rather unobtrusive. They develop into small green berries which turn red.
The fleshy roots have tubers which contain food and water for dry periods. When re potting allow plenty of room for root growth.
Stems grow to a length of approx 45cm (18"). There are more than 30 varieties of asparagus which surprisingly belong to the lily family - they are not ferns at all.
General Care
An easy plant to grow. Repot frequently when the plants become pot bound and hard to water, feeding regularly during the growing season.
Keep out of direct sun otherwise scorching will occur. Normal room temperatures will suit this plant as long as their kept above 8c (46f).
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