Fern Frenzy!
Springtime is a great time to plant ferns because of the extra moisture and humidity in the air. And our tropical island hosts so many unique and beautiful varieties! The fun thing about ferns, many of them can be grown indoors and kept as houseplants! So even if your landscape isn’t ideal for ferns, or you don’t have your own outdoor space, you can enjoy ferns inside to add some lushness and beauty to your home! The options can be overwhelming, but let’s dive into the different varieties, and maybe a few will catch your eye.
The Natives
Kupukupu
The Kupukupu Fern is an excellent choice if you are looking for a Native groundcover. It is great for erosion control and is versatile in the landscape. It stays under 3 feet tall, so it is easy to maintain without getting overgrown.
Hapu’u
A favorite of the islands, the Hapu’u tree fern is stunning in any landscape! It can get up to 25 feet tall and can be grown in the ground or in a container. It is Hawai’i’s largest tree fern, and adds so much character to the landscape.
Palapalai
This Native fern is popular for its use in hula, and is a great fern to use in floral arrangements or as a way to soften your landscape borders.
Naturalized Ferns
Dwarf Laua’e
Dwarf Laua’e is another popular groundcover due to its full foliage and because it can tolerate full-sun. Its broad leaves and light green hue make it a very attractive groundcover option.
Unique Foliage
Maidenhair Fern
The Maidenhair fern is another popular choice in the landscape, typically in a hanging basket or planter. Its delicate leaves add softness and an airy feel to the landscape. They thrive in the shade and like well-draining soil with consistent moisture.
Autumn Fern
A beautiful fern in the landscape to help warm up your space. The new leaves come out an auburn color before fading to green. This fern is hardy in the cold months but does not do well in dry, hot areas and is more vulnerable to wind.
Silver Brake Fern
A spectacular fern to use to add unique foliage and color to your landscape. The silver splash in the leaves makes this fern pop and adds variety to any landscape.
Silver Dollar Maidenhair
If you love the Maidenhair but want a bolder leaf, the Silver Dollar is great to really make a statement! Great as a houseplant or in a hanging basket to really show off its unique fronds.
Rosy Maidenhair
The Rosy Maidenhair is just darling in the landscape or in your home! The new growth comes out a rosy-pink color before fading to green. So unique and fun!
Lisa Maidenhair
This Maidenhair is great to add more texture and contrast to your landscape. Mix it in with other ferns to create depth and make your space look lush and full!
Bird’s Nest Ferns
Bird’s Nest Fern
The Bird’s Nest Ferns are amazing additions to the landscape, growing bigger than most ferns. The sprawling leaves add height and fullness to your space, and there are so many varieties to choose from.
Bird’s Nest Fern ‘Champion’
The ‘Champion’ Bird’s Nest Fern is different from the others with its serrated leaf edges. It has the Bird’s Nest growth habits but adds more texture in the landscape.
Bird’s Nest Fern ‘Japanese’
The ‘Japanese’ Bird’s Nest Fern has a more crinkled leaf. The fronds are broad and fill out nicely as the fern grows.
Bird’s Nest Fern ‘Leslie’
This fern stands apart from the other Bird’s Nest Ferns with its fronds that split apart at the ends rather than growing into a single point. The foliage adds more characteristic to the plant and creates more texture.
Bird’s Nest Fern ‘Hurricane’
The ‘Hurricane’ has the same leaf structure as the traditional Bird’s Nest Fern, but the fronds grow in a swirling motion. This motion makes the plant appear to move like a cyclone, thus the name ‘Hurricane.’
Bird’s Nest Fern ‘Osaka’
With slimmer fronds and more texture, the ‘Osaka’ is another great option to mix in with other ferns. Combining varieties of Bird’s Nest Ferns in your landscape can create a beautiful focal point!
Groundcovers
Artillery Fern
A great option for groundcover if you are looking for greenery with a little more height. Artillery Fern fills out nicely, and the texture of the leaves is very unique. Still staying relatively low, it can help create a buffer between borders and larger plants in your landscape.
Seleginella “Fluffy Fern”
This fern-like groundcover, often called “Fluffy Fern,” comes in the standard green as well as the ‘Ruby Red!’ This groundcover is great for shady and moist spots in your yard, bordering garden beds, or around stepping stones.
Asparagus Foxtail Fern
The Asparagus Foxtail Fern is a great option if you’re looking for a full, fluffy groundcover that can take more sun. Although it prefers part shade, it can tolerate more sun than most ferns.
Good as Houseplants
Crocodile Fern
A nursery favorite, the Crocodile Fern has broad leaves with reptilian texture. Such a unique plant to have in the landscape, but really shows off as a houseplant. It likes bright, filtered light, and likes moisture but isn’t as finicky as some other ferns.
Button Fern
A great houseplant to pot in a hanging basket! The leaf stems are wiry and grow in different directions. By planting it in a hanging basket, it can grow more freely and really stretch out.
Heart Fern
May be the cutest fern you’ll ever see. These darling heart-shaped ferns love shade and can be used in shady areas as a groundcover, or kept as a houseplant. A great gift for a loved one, especially when paired with the perfect pot!