Homer Edward Price · CC BY 2.0
About
*Nephrolepis exaltata*, commonly known as the sword fern or Boston fern, is an extremely popular and hardy houseplant, noted for its lush, arching fronds. It is highly adaptable and known for its tolerance to drought among common cultivated ferns.
Field notes
Morphology
The fronds are long (50–250 cm) and broad (6–15 cm), featuring alternate pinnae that are generally deltoid. The leaflets are entire, oblong-lanceolate, and can reach up to 12 cm long and 2.3 cm wide. The plant forms a slim, tuberous underground rhizome, and the sori are rounded.
Distribution & habitat
Native to the Americas, it is common in humid forests and swamps across northern South America, Mexico, Central America, Florida, the West Indies, Polynesia, and Africa. It can grow both terrestrially and as an epiphyte, such as on the Sabal palmetto.
Cultivation notes
It is a perennial plant hardy in USDA zones 9–11, thriving in damp, nutrient-rich soil. It prefers partial to full shade and responds best to bright filtered light. When grown indoors, it requires misting when relative humidity drops below 80%. It is propagated by division of the rooted runners and is non-toxic to pets.
History & etymology
The term 'Boston fern' was documented by David Fairchild, who stated it originated from John Soar, a Florida pioneer nurseryman who sent the plants to Boston. The 'Bostoniensis' mutation was discovered in 1894.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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