Indoor spaces can often feel sterile and lacking in natural beauty. However, with the addition of indoor ferns, you can transform your home into a lush, green oasis.
Ferns are not only visually appealing but also offer a sense of tranquility and peace. In this article, we will explore 10 stunning indoor fern varieties that are perfect for adding a touch of grace to your home decor.
1. Nephrolepis exaltata (Boston Fern)
The Boston Fern, also known as Nephrolepis exaltata, is one of the most popular fern varieties for indoor spaces. With its beautiful arching fronds, it adds a touch of elegance to any space.
Boston Ferns are readily available and have a reputation for enhancing the aesthetics of a home. They are also known for their air-purifying qualities, making them a great choice for improving indoor air quality.
Boston Ferns thrive in high-humidity areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens, and are perfect for beginners.
2. Adiantum raddianum (Delta Maidenhair Fern)
The Delta Maidenhair Fern, scientifically known as Adiantum raddianum, is a gorgeous fern variety with delicate, fan-shaped fronds.
Native to Mexico and Tropical America, this fern adds an elegant touch to any indoor space. While it requires a continuous moisture supply, growing the Delta Maidenhair Fern is made simple with the right care.
Check out our blog post on an easy way to grow maidenhair ferns for helpful tips.
3. Platycerium bifurcatum (Staghorn Fern)
The Staghorn Fern, or Platycerium bifurcatum, is a unique fern variety with bifurcated, antler-like fronds. Native to Java, New Guinea, and Eastern Australia, this fern grows as an epiphyte.
Hanging the Staghorn Fern from a wall allows its unusual foliage to be showcased. As it grows, brown “shields” appear at the base of the plant, often mistaken for dead leaves.
However, these shields are essential for protecting the plant’s roots and should be left intact.
4. Nephrolepis cordifolia (Lemon Button Fern)
The Lemon Button Fern, scientifically known as Nephrolepis cordifolia, is an adorable fern with arched stems and tiny, button-shaped green leaves. Its mild lemony scent gives it its name.
This fern variety is hardy and pet-friendly, making it a favorite among indoor gardeners. It can be grown in various types of containers, including vivariums and terrariums, as it stays relatively small.
5. Microsorum musifolium (Crocodile Fern)
The Crocodile Fern, or Microsorum musifolium, gets its name from the long, green, strappy fronds that feature crocodile-like scale patterns.
As the leaves mature, the scales become more pronounced, with deep green venation. Native to Southeast Asia, this fern can reach heights of up to 6 feet in an ideal growing environment.
Crocodile Ferns are easy to grow but require consistent moisture in both the soil and air.
6. Asplenium nidus (Bird’s Nest Fern)
The Bird’s Nest Fern, or Asplenium nidus, is an epiphytic fern native to tropical rainforests from Malaysia to Queensland. True to its name, this fern forms a rosette of erect, strappy green leaves, which can grow up to 5 feet long.
Bird’s Nest Ferns can thrive in average humidity conditions as long as the soil remains moist. However, providing extra humidity will result in healthier and shinier fronds.
7. Microsorum diversifolium (Kangaroo Paw Fern)
The Kangaroo Paw Fern, scientifically known as Microsorum diversifolium, is an easy-growing fern variety that can thrive in lower humidity conditions compared to many other ferns.
Its large, lobate, slightly arching fronds give it a tough and leathery appearance. The stems emerge from green-colored rhizomes, which have a slightly hairy texture.
Native to Australia, the Kangaroo Paw Fern is a slow-growing species that adds an elegant touch to any home.
8. Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern)
The Autumn Fern, or Dryopteris erythrosora, is a stunning, low-growing fern variety native to China and East Asia.
Its newly emerged fronds feature a brilliant shade of orangish-red, which contrasts beautifully with the green shade of mature fronds. This fern adds a vibrant pop of color to any indoor space.
9. Davallia fejeensis (Black Rabbit’s Foot Fern)
The Black Rabbit’s Foot Fern, or Davallia fejeensis, is a mysterious-looking fern native to Fiji. It features fuzzy, rabbit-foot-like projections that scramble out of the plant’s base.
These projections, in fact, are rhizomes that absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and soil. Delicate, green fronds resembling carrot tops grow out of wiry stems that emerge from these rhizomes.
This fern variety is best displayed in hanging pots and decorative planters to show off its soft and fluffy “feet.”
10. Phlebodium aureum ‘Davana’
Phlebodium aureum ‘Davana’ is a beautiful indoor fern variety native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America and the Caribbean. It features elegant green fronds with fringed margins. Mature leaves develop a coat of powdery blue.
The ‘Davana’ fern has fuzzy projections similar to a Rabbit’s Foot Fern, from which new leaves emerge, although they are not as pronounced. This fern has a mounded habit, making it a perfect choice for hanging baskets and desktops.
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Conclusion
Indoor ferns offer a pristine, natural way of providing beauty and air purification in your home. They are easy to keep alive, making them an ideal choice for newbie indoor gardeners.
However, it is important to remember that like any other plant, ferns can die. You can increase the likelihood of success by providing them with the right conditions. While many ferns can be grown indoors, some varieties are better suited for outdoor gardens.
In a perfect world, we would all have lush fern gardens of our own. But until that day comes, we can try to replicate the beauty and benefits of ferns by planting them in pots and containers.