Sword Fern vs Boston Fern : Key Differences Between Two Popular Houseplants
fern are having a major moment mightily now as one of the most popular houseplants . With their lush , graceful fronds , it ’s prosperous to see why these timber beauty are in such high need . Two of the most popular ferns grown as houseplants are the sword fern and the Boston fern . Although they look quite interchangeable at first glance , there are some notable difference between these two plants . Keep reading to teach more about how to recount sword fern and Boston ferns apart and pick the right one for your home .
What is a Sword Fern ?
The sword fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata ) is aboriginal to tropic regions of the Americas . In the wild steel ferns grow in humid forests and along stream banks . Their long upright fronds resemble brand , giving the fern its common name . Sword ferns can reach loom heights of 5 - 6 feet in their natural habitat but are more thickset when grown indoors , typically staying under 3 feet tall and full .
Sword fern have long , arching frond that jump off growing upright but bow graciously as they mature . The frond are lined with leaflets call pinnae arranged in an interchange rule along the cardinal spinal column . Sword ferns are easy to identify by the hairy scale along the rachis and the round sori ( spore clusters ) lining the underside of each pinna .
manage for steel ferns indoors is relatively easy . They thrive in bright , indirect illumination and high humidity . have the soil dry out slenderly between watering to prevent root rot . Sword ferns also benefit from regular misting and being localise on a pebble tray to boost humidity .
What is a Boston Fern ?
The Boston fern is also a variety of Nephrolepis exaltata . It is technically the same specie as the blade fern but has been naturalise to produce longer , more dramatically arch frond . In their aboriginal tropic habitat , Boston ferns can give heights over 5 infantry tall but typically max out under 3 feet when grown as houseplants .
Like the sword fern , Boston fern have long , arching fronds lined with flip booklet . The central difference is that Boston ferns lack the hairy rachis and round sori of true sword ferns . Their fronds also arch more dramatically , cascading downwards when mature . This give Boston ferns a graciously weeping appearance .
Boston ferns need similar care to steel ferns – smart , indirect light , high humidity , and moist but not waterlogged grease . Let the Earth’s surface dry out between waterings and mist the fronds on a regular basis . Boston ferns can be prone to brown , crispy folio tips if the air becomes too teetotal .
Key Differences Between Sword Ferns and Boston Ferns
Now that we ’ve covered the basics , let ’s recap the key differences between steel ferns and Boston ferns :
Frond shape : Sword fern fronds grow upright at first then gracefully arch downward . Boston fern have more dramatically weep frond .
pinna and rachis : Sword fern pinnae attach to a hairy rachis . Boston ferns lack the hairy rachis .
Sori : Round chocolate-brown sorus sprinkle the undersides of sword fern pinnae . Sori are absent on Boston ferns .
Height : In the wild , steel fern grow larger , sometimes up to 7 foot marvelous . Indoor Boston ferns tend to max out under 3 feet .
Origin : Sword ferns are native to tropical forests . Boston ferns were cultivated as a houseplant mixture .
take Between Sword Fern and Boston Fern
If you ’re endeavor to make up one’s mind between these two elegant fern , here are a few factors to consider :
quad : If you have a large area to fill , a sword fern may originate larger and make more of an impact . For smaller spaces , a Boston fern is a good fit .
Look : Boston ferns have a more dramatically weeping conformation , while sword fern have straighter , just frond . Choose free-base on the artistic you prefer .
Light : Boston ferns conform well to bring down tripping condition inside the home . If your space is dim , a Boston fern is the safe bet .
humidness : Both ferns need high humidity . Be disposed to mist and apply pebble tray to prevent dry out foliage .
No matter which of these refined fern you select , they make an excellent addition to indoor plant collections . Just be sure to bring home the bacon the good growing conditions and your sword fern or Boston fern will reward you with lush , vivacious foliage .
WHAT IS A TROPICAL FERN?
Technically a tropical fern is any fern that will not survive the winter alfresco in your climate . Most houseplant ferns are tropical ferns , but for the purpose of this article , we ’ll only use the term “ tropical fern ” to refer to three types that are often used outside in the quick month : Boston Ferns , Macho Ferns , and Kimberley Queen Ferns . Why are these fern unparalleled ? All three of them LOVE humidity , can get very big , and do best outside in the summertime on a covered terrace or porch . These varieties can be brought indoors over wintertime , but some do better than others ( more information below ) .
What else makes them unparalleled ? We grow these fern from flyspeck plugs to immense statement pieces over the course of six month so that they are ready for customers every spring . You might be surprised to learn that our product team starts the summons in July by transfer almost 5,000 1 - inch infant ferns ! Being involved in every step of the grow process make us a unique ability to say you everything that has touched these ferns and guarantee that they were grow with love . Plus , since they are grow topically , we do n’t have to worry about pack fully develop plant across recollective distance . Though getting grand of ferns to maturity and string up from the glasshouse ceiling is no easy feat ! .
But how do you know which tropical fern to choose ?
WHICH TROPICAL FERN IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Common Names : Boston Fern
Scientific Name : Nephrolepis exaltata
Mature Size:2 to 3 feet tall and extensive
Sun Exposure : fond shade / mottled shade
Soil Type : Moist , well - drained
Hardiness Zone:10 to 12 ( USDA )
Native Area : Americas , Africa , Polynesia
These ferns are by far our well - known and most - loved . If you ’ve ever seen a word picture of Painters Greenhouse with rows and rows of ferns on the cap , those are probably Boston Ferns . Every year , we develop over 4,000 of them .
When you think of hanging porch fern , these are in all likelihood what comes to mind . They need to stick evenly moist , ca n’t stand direct sunlight but do well in culture medium to bright collateral light , and can grow to be two to three metrical unit wide . They have been used as decorations since Victorian sentence , but because they shed so easily , we keep them on the porch during the warmer calendar month and plow them as annuals instead of bringing them inside .
These ferns do well in hanging basket and plant abide because they are shaggy-haired and have diffuse , tears fronds that will cover their container . Do nt be fooled , this variety of fern is not native to Boston . It is aboriginal to tropical region of South America , Mexico , Africa , and Polynesia . Thriving in humid forests and swamp , it in spades would not survive a snowy New England winter ! .
vernacular Name : Macho Fern , Broad Sword Fern
Scientific Name : Nephrolepis biserrata
ripe Size:3 - 4 ft . marvelous / long , up to 6 foot . wide-eyed
Sun Exposure : Partial sunshine to shade off
Soil Type : Moist but well - draining
Hardiness Zones:9a-10b
Native Area : Florida
The name articulate it all — these big guys like bright morning twinkle and can get up to 4 feet long and 5 to 6 feet broad ! Their fronds see thicker and leatherier , and they smooth like shiny metal . Together , their size of it and shape make quite a statement .
The smaller leaflets of a Boston Fern wait shaggy and have serrated edge . The brochure of a Macho Fern are smoother , shinier , and do n’t have serrate edge . They can also tolerate more Dominicus than a Boston Fern ( but still do not like unmediated , intense Sunday ) . They may not pour forth as much , but it may still be unvoiced for them to pass the winter in your abode without extra humidness .
Common Names : Kimberley Queen Fern , Kimberly Queen , Kim Queen Fern
Scientific Name : Nephrolepis obliterata
Mature Size:2–3 ft . tall , 2–4 ft . wide
Sun Exposure : Sun to part shade
Hardiness Zones:9–11 ( USDA )
Native Area : Australia
This fern has more of an vertical growth habit and is specially well - accommodate to porch pots . Which of the three ferns is full for an indoor plant ? This one , because it shed footling and does well indoors over the winter . Kimberley Queen fern can also hold out in very little light , making them the most light - kind of the plant on this lean .
Kimberley Queen Ferns have more strict , unsloped fronds and are pure in pots flanking a pathway or entry .
Differentiating The 3 Most Popular Ferns
FAQ
Is Boston fern the same as sword fern ?
Can sword ferns take full Dominicus ?
What are sword ferns good for ?
Is sword fern an indoor or outdoor flora ?
