In one word, ferns are prehistoric.
This means that they have been surviving onthe earth way before any life form was breathing.
In this article
How many varieties of ferns are there?
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There are over 9000 species of these non-flowering plants with fully developed roots/stem/complex leaves and spores for reproduction.
Below are similarities/differences/facts about ferns!
Vascular system, just like in the human body, transports water and nutrients to the entire plant organs.
Enough with the characteristics,
We now look at the fern facts below.
After which the parent plant dies.
(Thoughco.com)
How do I identify my fern?
You are probably wondering how to pick out your favorite fern for the garden or bathroom.
This is common as most of the species will get you confused at first.
Ferns can really make a landscape come alive with their billowy airy look and feel.
These plants make great features under trees and as borders in a garden spot.
It has a unique aroma in that it smells like newly cut hay.
It is evergreen and has no noticeable blooms.
There is lacy foliage and nice bright green fronds.
If one wants to propagate this particular fern, one will need to split the rhizomes.
It spreads well and typically is a low maintenance fern.
It is a hardy plant despite its name of sensitive.
It was named sensitive because of the fronds that wither upon a frost.
This fern does best in full sun to partial shade, with soil that is a bit acidic.
It is a slow grower but has an easier transplant than most ferns.
It has gently tapered fronds that are typically seen in moist woody environments.
This is one of the deer resistant ferns.
Plant this one in full to partial shade and a bit acidic soil.
This one can also handle a neutral pH soil.
To divide and propagate this fern, just separate the root ball.
Once you master the care needs of ferns, raising them outdoors will be easy-breezy.
Here are some outdoor ferns that will definitely add deep greens to your garden.
It is at its peak bloom from late winter throughout spring.
Its color changes from tinges of orange to dark green during spring.
Its creeping habit makes it a perfect fit for shade gardens and underplanting.
How to identify:
Tip: Always protect these types of ferns from strong winds.
It has one of the most striking fronds with its undivided appearance.
It is also considerably hardy and will stay lush green year-round, even during the winter.
At a distance, they resemble water crests or lattice because of their heavily crested edges.
They enjoy alkaline soils and low light locations.
They are perfect for pavements and walkways.
They are considered as variegated ferns because of their silver gray-green foliage and purple veins.
Adding to its overall compelling appearance is its upward-arching, triangle fronds.
Tips: There silver fronds are the attractive, therefore better choice for you.
If you settle on these ferns today, then ensure the plant gets plenty of moisture for better growth.
(Gardeners World.com).
It has a papery appearance and their growing season is during spring.
As they mature through summer, their color will turn into deep green.
The alpine wood fern (Dryopteris wallichiana):
This semi-evergreen is native to India and China.
It is notable for its lancing fronds sprouting from an erect rhizome.
It grows in bulky tufts like a shuttlecock.
In the spring, its fronds are yellow and its stems and midribs are brown-black in color.
This one is winter hardy, making it a good outdoor fern.
It can tolerate the winter frost.
As a matter of fact, the foliage becomes a darker green hue as it goes deep into winter.
At mature phase, it will produce at least 60 fronds annually.
Tip: If you opt for this one, you need enough spacing for their tall fronds.
Besides, plant them in groups on your compound.
They grow in thick masses of compact fronds resembling vases.
It loves low light and shade.
It requires infrequent watering and when you do, you have to pour it on the base.
Tips: in early spring, Ostrich fern will charm your garden being- handsome plants in spring.
You need high humid conditions-moist soil.
(Gardeners World.com).
It produces carrot-like ferns with a lace texture and dark green hues.
It is drought-tolerant and thrives well in full sun to full shade.
It can also be potted as houseplant during spring.
The name made up due to carrot top look alike foliage of the plant.
Tips: place Carrot top fern in the unheated greenhouse during winter-for better growth.
It stands at 5ft and 2inches wide.
It produces compact, 13 pairs of leaflets at 3ft long.
It loves acidic, damp soils and shady locations.
Since they grow large, they are better as outdoor plants than houseplants.
It is an evergreen fern with a medium length, arching fronds.
It gets its name from its immature fronds that hang like tassels before gradually straightening up like arches.
They are perfect as complementary ground cover for Japanese weeping maples.
Its native habitat is woodlands and they are perfect for tropical gardens.
Young fronds are also attention-catchers with their green and pink contrast.
It can tolerate mild frost.
They are easily recognizable with
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It grows in between rocks and enjoys warm, high humidity climates and moist soils.
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Licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza):
This one typically sprouts out in the barks of forest trees.
It gets its name from its subterranean stems that smell and taste like licorice.
It is dried for tea and used as raw snacks.
It will thrive in tropical, damp climates.
Tip: it’s crucial that you provide it mild temperature at home.
It is a highly adaptive fern and when left unchecked can be considered as invasive.
It survives in temperate or subtropical climates.
Tips: Grow well in subtropical/temperate places with poor conditions.
Chinese Ladder Brake (Pteris vittata):
It is a pantropical fern native to Asia and Australia.
It grows in valleys and riverbanks.
It has deep green foliage with spores lined up along the pinna.
While it does offer good erosion control, it could become easily invasive when uncontrolled.
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It is usually used in industrial design especially in concrete infrastructures.
Its fronds can grow at a length of almost 20ft and at 5ft wide.
It is perfect for outdoor tropical gardens as its slender stems only grow to up to 3ft.
The trick to establishing sturdy roots is to maintain moisture.
It can tolerate full sun to full shade.
Tips:
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It is a dark evergreen notable for its stout yet erect rhizome enveloped in thick, fibrous roots.
On top of it are divided fronds formed like a rosette.
Its dark green leaves have a waxy texture and are most compelling during spring.
It is native to Australia (Tasmania) and it grows to up to four meters in height.
It gets its name from its dark green foliage with stunning silver undersides.
Its native niche is subcanopy forests.
You could replicate the same idea for your garden.
Tasmanian cup fern (Cyathea arborea):
It is also called as the Tasmanian cup fern.
It is an evergreen that could grow above 9meters.
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It has unbranched stems and fronds that grow at a length of 3meters.
It is often found in roadside banks but can also be naturalized in woodland gardens.
It can also be transplanted and grown as indoor plants.
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Types of Indoor Ferns:
Ferns are loved for their fronds as they look exotic yet elegant.
If you are planning to keep one indoors, here are some indoor ferns you should check out.
It loves a lot of moisture and could grow better outdoors in rainy and damp planting sites.
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But since its basic requirement is low light, it also makes a good indoor plant.
It gets its name from growing trees, rock and moist soils.
Its basic care requirement is bright, indirect light, high humidity and moist, well-draining soil.
It does not need fertilizer as it will die from it due to sensitivity.
It thrives in warmer regions.
It is clustered on the types of ferns that are easy to grow, making it a good houseplant.
It will thrive in tropical climates where shade is ample.
Delta Maidenhair ferns (Adiantum raddianum):
This one is actually one of the members of the Adiantum.
Its natural habitat is coastal regions unique for their delicate, waxy, branching fronds and purple-black stalks.
It requires bright, indirect light and high humidity planting sites.
It has a wire-like appearance and a trailing habit.
Tip: You use a well-drained pot soil (enough humid) and regularly repot during spring.
They can be invasive when left unchecked so they require regular pruning.
And like other ferns, its basic care requirement is bright, indirect light.
Horsetail fern (Equisetum):
It is the last surviving species of the Equisetum family.
In spite of its name, it is actually deadly when ingested by horses.
It has short-stalked stems that look like a crossover between bamboo and tall grass.
Cloverleaf fern:
This one grows everywhere and it is a known fact.
It gets its name from its four to five leaves.
Finding a five-leaf clover leaf fern is associated with good luck.
Ancient fern:
They are often associated with tree ferns.
It is the mother plant of all cultivars and it is as ancient as it could get.
The fronds of ancient ferns are found at the apex of a fibrous trunk.
Unlike temperate ferns, ancient ferns grow directly from the rootstock.
It can be a good indoor plant and it can tolerate colder climates.
As lycophytes, they are considered as fern allies but in general are not ferns.
They are single-veined with dark green, waxy foliage.
It is the key in of fern commonly found in zen garden designs.
It is native to East Asia and it is practically pest and deer resistant.
Staghorn fern (Platycerium):
These ferns get their name from their peculiar looking foliage that resembles staghorn.
These ones grow only in wood and other plants because they are epiphytes and cannot grow in soil.
It requires shade and high humidity, frequent watering and misting.
As houseplants, they are used as family heirlooms because of their known longevity.
Water the young fern regularly and effectively.
Temperature:a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius cool is not that bad for an indoor fern owner.
Lighting: we cant emphasize enough on lighting.
All plants need light and ferns are no different.
However, they may be scorched if exposed to direct sunlight.
You may call it a houseplant provided that the aquarium where it is submerged is indoors.
Humidity
Ferns love high-humidityrooms and planting sites.
If grown indoors, humidity must be enforced through air humidifiers.
Temperature
The throw in of fern you plant or buy should follow a specific temperature requirement.
But in general, they do not love super cold temperatures.
Regardless, some are more cold-hardy than others and they can tolerate lower temperatures than these ranges.
An example of this is the Japanese painted fern.
Soil
Ferns niche on light and moist forest soils with lots of organic matter.
Putting the right compost will prevent waterlogging.
Fertilizer
There is no need to fertilize ferns as they will practically grow anywhere.
Applying fertilizer might cause some types to die due to sensitivity.
Cutting off yellowing or dead fronds during fall and winter will ensure healthier fronds in the next spring.
Pruning will also allow you to see if the soil is soggy or waterlogged.
Repotting
This can be done during spring but only if yourrootstocks are spreading uncontrollably in the pot.
For outdoor ferns, this could also be done to control thepossible invasiveness of the fern in the garden.
Water
This should be done regularly to ensure that enough moisture is supplied in the soil.
Watering should only be done if the topsoilis very dry.
If not, do not water the ferns yet.
Misting every dayin the base of the plant and its foliage will also help in maintaining moisture.
They can be grown as trees, ground cover, beautiful outdoor and houseplants.
While most concede that ferns are tricky to grow, what we have covered here proves otherwise.
Do not be restricted bythe temperature limits because some types are cold-hardy.
you’re free to never go wrong with ferns.
They would not exist up to this day if they werenot survivors.
