10 Unique Types of Fern Plants

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Welcome to the world of ferns, where lush greenery and fascinating textures create a serene and enchanting atmosphere.

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• Macho Fern (Nephrolepis Biserrata)
• Jeweled Chain Fern (Woodwardia Unigemmata)
•  Sunset Fern (Dryopteris Lepidopoda)
• Himalayan Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Venustum)
• Lady Fern with a Grey Ghost appearance (Athyrium niponicum ‘Grey Ghost’)
• Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolipendrium)
• Lemon Butter Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)
• Japanese Painted Fern
• Giant Fern (Angiopteris evecta)
•  Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

Macho Fern (Nephrolepis Biserrata)

The Macho Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis biserrata, is a large and dramatic fern well-suited for indoor cultivation. This tropical fern also called the giant sword fern, stands out for its massive, burly foliage that distinguishes it from other types of ferns. The Macho Fern is known for its bold yet graceful appearance, with bright green, glossy fronds that can grow up to four feet in length, forming a cascading mound. It is a popular choice for indoor houseplants, adding a cozy and lush feel to home environments

• Native Area: North America
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11
• Height: 3 to 8 feet
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Jeweled Chain Fern (Woodwardia Unigemmata)

The Jeweled Chain Fern, scientifically known as Woodwardia unigemmata, is a striking evergreen fern that adds a touch of elegance to shaded garden areas. This fern features bold, arching fronds that can reach three feet or longer, with a unique red tint that makes it visually captivating. When planted atop a wall and allowed to naturally drape downward, the Jeweled Chain Fern creates an exquisite curtain effect. Each fern frond produces small plantlets that grow when they come into contact with the soil, enhancing its ornamental value.

• Zones: 8 to 10
• Size: Up to six feet long stems and fronds
• Conditions: Partial shade; moist soil

 Sunset Fern (Dryopteris Lepidopoda)

The Sunset Fern, scientifically known as Dryopteris lepidopoda, is an evergreen fern that adds beauty and texture to gardens with its unique characteristics. This fern is a clump-forming plant that displays olive-green fronds, creating an attractive upright and arching appearance. It thrives in partial shade-to-shade conditions and prefers average to moist, humus-rich soil. The Sunset Fern is known for its hardiness in USDA zones 5-9, reaching a medium height of 1 to 3 feet.

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: 2 feet in width and 15 to 24 inches in height.
• Conditions: Humus-rich, slightly moist but not soggy soil; light shade

Himalayan Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Venustum)

The Himalayan Maidenhair Fern, scientifically known as Adiantum venustum, is an elegant evergreen fern that slowly spreads to form a tidy ground cover. This fern is characterized by its lacy and delicate foliage on black stalks, creating a visually appealing contrast. It thrives in full to partial shade and prefers loamy, well-draining soil. The Himalayan Maidenhair Fern is a versatile plant that can be used both outdoors as a ground cover or accent plant and indoors as a decorative element. 

• Zones: 5 (with protection) to 9
• Size: 12 to 15 inches high, perpetually creeping
• Conditions: Partial shade; moist, well-drained soil

Lady Fern with a Grey Ghost appearance (Athyrium niponicum ‘Grey Ghost’)

The Grey Ghost Lady Fern, scientifically known as Athyrium niponicum ‘Grey Ghost,’ is a deciduous hybrid fern that is noted for its upright silvery foliage. This fern features a slowly spreading clump of fronds that are a soft grayish-green with an overlay of silvery hues accented by contrasting dark maroon midribs. The silvering of the foliage is most prominent in the spring, with the fronds transitioning to more grayish-green tones as temperatures rise.

• Zones: USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
• Size: Mature Height: 24-30 inches
• Conditions: Light Requirements: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium Scolipendrium)

The Hart’s Tongue Fern, scientifically known as Asplenium scolopendrium, is an evergreen fern characterized by its unique appearance and ease of maintenance. This fern features strap-shaped, bright green fronds that are undivided, giving it a substantial and tropical look. The fronds remain lush and fresh-looking throughout the year, adding interest to gardens even in winter. The underside of mature fronds is marked with conspicuous brown stripes, which are the sori containing the plant’s spores. 

• Zones: USDA Zones: 5-9
• Height at Maturity: 12-18 inches
• Conditions: Light Requirements; Partial Sun Shade

Lemon Butter Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’)

The Lemon Button Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii,’ is a dwarf cultivar of Nephrolepis cordifolia that is popular for its cute, compact form and ease of care. This fern is characterized by its small, round, button-like leaves that emit a subtle lemon scent when crushed. It is a relative of the Boston fern and is commonly referred to as “Lemon Button Fern” or “Lemon Buttons.” The Lemon Button Fern thrives in indoor environments and can be grown as an indoor foliage plant or outdoors during the growing season. It requires moderate to bright indirect light, moist but well-drained soil, and a well-draining pot with plenty of drainage holes to prevent water buildup. 

• Zones: Hardiness Zone: (annual)
• Size: Up to 12 inches
• Conditions: Light Requirements; Tolerant to a range of light levels, prefers medium indirect light, can adapt to low indirect light to bright light.

Japanese Painted Fern

The Japanese Painted Fern, scientifically known as Athyrium niponicum, is a captivating perennial plant celebrated for its striking and colorful foliage. This fern species is renowned for its unique fronds that display a blend of silver, green, purple, and red hues, creating a visually appealing contrast in shaded garden settings. 

•  Zones: Hardiness Zones: 3-8
• Height: 12-18 inches
• Conditions: Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Full Shade

Giant Fern (Angiopteris evecta)

It is commonly referred to as the king fern, giant fern, elephant fern, oriental vessel fern, Madagascar tree fern, or mule’s foot fern. This fern is native to various regions including eastern and northern Australia, the Malay Peninsula, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. It is recognized for its massive trunk-like rhizome that can reach up to 1 meter in diameter and its arching fronds that can grow up to 9 meters long and 2.5 meters wide. The fronds are bipinnate with numerous pairs of pinnae and pinnules, showcasing a unique and grand appearance.

• Zones: Hardiness Zones: 4b-9
• Height: Up to 7 meters tall
• Conditions: Soil Type: Rich moist soil for optimal growth

 Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum)

The Western Sword Fern, scientifically known as Polystichum munitum, is an evergreen perennial fern native to western North America. It is one of the most abundant ferns in forested areas along the Pacific coast from southeastern Alaska to southern California, extending inland to southeastern British Columbia, northern Idaho, and western Montana. This fern is characterized by its dark green fronds that grow in a tight clump spreading radially from a round base. The fronds are single-pinnate with serrated edges and bristly tips, reaching heights of 50 to 180 centimeters.

• Zones: USDA Zones: 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A3
• Size: 2-4 feet (60-120 cm)
• Conditions: Light Requirements: Partial Sun, Shade.