Boston Fern, Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata

Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Nephrolepis (nef-roh-LEP-iss)
Species: exaltata (eks-all-TAY-tuh)

Synonym:Nephrolepis exaltata subsp. exaltata

Category
Ferns

Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

Sun Exposure
Partial to Full Shade

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Inconspicuous/none

Bloom Time
N/A

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Evergreen

Other details
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed