home sectionhome sectionDespite its name and fern-like appearance, the frosty fern plant (Selaginella Krausianna Variegatus) isn't a fern, but a member of the Selaginellaceae, or spike moss family. Although it is a perennial suitable for growing outdoors in the warm climates of U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 11 to 15, it is most commonly grown as an indoor plant. This easy-to-grow plant is propagated by stems cuttings or divisions.
The Alaska fiddlehead fern, also commonly called the ostrich fern, is a large, showy plant. Each individual frond can be as much as 12 inches wide and 5 feet long, and is shaped much like the plumage of an ostrich. The huge size, rich green color, and the fern's adaptability (it's hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 2) make it popular with many people. Transplanting the ostrich fern is not difficult, and with care you can have it growing almost anywhere you want with a minimum of effort.
Staghorn ferns, also known as antelope ear and elk’s horn, are a diverse genus of ferns. The staghorn genus (Platycerium) includes 17 different species found across the globe in countries that include Australia, Bolivia, Madagascar, Peru, the Philippines and Singapore. In their natural environment, staghorn ferns are found living in trees. Known as epiphytes, or air plants, staghorns receive nutrition not from the trees upon which they grow, but from decaying leaves that have dropped from the trees. Such a natural habitat is why staghorn ferns prefer to be grown in open containers -- wire baskets are common -- lined…
Re-potting a fern plant with rocks is a great way to control how much water the plant gets. The rocks will allow a place at the bottom of the pot for excess water to drain. When the soil needs water again, it will soak up the water from the layer of rocks. This will help prevent your fern from becoming overwatered, which is one of the most common problems in house plants.
The leatherleaf fern grows low to the ground and enjoys a spot in the shade, making it an ideal ground cover for dark areas of the garden. Plant it around water features, in shaded shrub beds and border areas or en masse to add year-round greenery to your garden. Its symmetrical, triangle-shaped fronds add dimension to cut flower arraignments. Look for this fern under the scientific name Rumohra adiantiformis.
Herbaceous ferns often grow energetically throughout the understory of shaded areas of a landscape. Ferns reproduce with spores, which germinate and grow into new fern plants with underground rhizomes. If ferns become too prolific, you might have to kill them to eradicate them from your growing area. With careful use of glyphosate herbicide, you can clear the area of the ferns you wish to remove.
Armed for battle, plants employ varied survival tactics including waging chemical warfare against predators, pathogens and other plants. Leaves, or fronds, from some ferns produce toxins that benefit plants by discouraging animal grazing and suppressing growth of nearby plants. Researchers from Texas A&M report that chemicals released by bracken fern fronds may interfere with some insects’ abilities to complete metamorphosis.
Ferns are some of the oldest plants on Earth. Many species date to the age of dinosaurs. Belonging to the botanical group Pteridophyta, ferns are vascular plants that reproduce by spores and do not require seeds or flowers. Ferns are important to all organisms due to their historical role in the ecosystem as well as their scientific, design and culinary value.
While you could indeed plant your "air fern," or Neptune plant, in you garden soil, it won't ever grow. This is because it isn't actually alive, or even actually a plant. While they're often sold as ferns that don't require watering or soil, and are said to gather nutrients from the air itself, these fern look-alikes are in reality the skeletonized remains of a colony of sea creatures.
The genus Asparagus includes nearly 300 species of evergreen and deciduous perennials native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Americans encounter only a few species, mainly as a vegetable or tropical houseplant. Edible asparagus plants don't normally produce any thorns on their long, leafy branches, but an occasional one can appear. The tropical houseplants, especially those native to drier parts of Africa, tend to have many straight or curved thorns on their stems.
All members of the plant kingdom have sporangia that produce spores. These structures are part of the sporophyte generation in the life cycle of organisms. The seedless vascular plants--ferns, club mosses, horsetails and whisk ferns--have many types of sporangia. Bryophytes are nonvascular plants that produce spores. Members of the kingdom Fungi and the kingdom Protista also have sporangia. As compared to the other groups, ferns have a unique sporangial structure.
A fern garden requires shade or partial shade, as well as a great deal of moisture. Design and plant a fern garden with help from a landscape designer and horticulture writer in this free video clip.
The oldest of the 12,000 known species of ferns grew 300 million years ago. Their delicate green fronds are between 1/16 inch and 12 feet in length. Many ferns grow on trees for support, but are not parasites, since they don't feed on their hosts. Non-poisonous ferns are safe plants for homes and gardens where small children or pets live and play.
Sometimes those shady spots in our gardens scream out for something different. If you want to add pizzazz to a shady garden border without adding a lot of maintenance, ferns may be the right choice for you. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and leaf types, and they thrive on neglect. All they need is a moist spot out of the sun, and they'll make your shady spot shine.
Dryopteris erythrosora, commonly called autumn fern or Japanese red shield fern, is a native of Japan and China. Valued for its attractive foliage and relatively undemanding nature, the autumn fern is a popular garden plant. However, its common name is a bit misleading, and gardeners looking for a colorful addition to their autumn gardens should learn more about autumn fern before planting it.
The kingdom Plantae is split into many divisions, one of which is called Pteridophyta. Ferns belong to that botanical group, together with closely related plants such as Horsetail, which are called "fern allies" because they have the same characteristics as ferns but different stem and leaf structures. Ferns are vascular, spore bearing plants that do not produce flowers, and grow fronds or leaves from rhizomes. They have existed for 350 million years, but have been superseded by flower bearing plants.
Coreopsis flowers, also known as tickseed or calliopsis, are tall, daisy-like flowers. Available in a variety of colors, these flowers attract both butterflies and songbirds to your yard. Use coreopsis as an addition to your flower gardens and clip them to make colorful cut arrangements. Its name is derived from the Greek word for "bedbug," as the dried fruit of the coreopsis resembles an insect.
Indigenous to shady, boggy marshlands with acidic soil, cinnamon ferns (Osmunda cinnamomea) normally grow about 2 to 3 feet tall, but can reach 5 feet or more under ideal conditions. Although they grow best in shade, they will grow in partial to full sun if given enough moisture. Cinnamon ferns have large and small fronds; the smaller ones start out bright green, but turn cinnamon-colored. Use cinnamon ferns as a backdrop for a perennial garden, or planted among flowering or evergreen shrubs.
Although mosses and ferns require similar conditions in which to thrive, they are two very different plants. Both plants rely on cool, moist locations for support throughout their life cycle. Both plants' reproduction requires water to move the male plants' sperm to the females' eggs. The key difference between the two plants is that one is vascular and the other is not.
The autumn fern, also called Japanese shield fern or Japanese wood fern, is a hardy plant that can withstand drought and doesn't need a lot of care. Young autumn fern fronds have a red coloration, while the mature plants have green fronds.
Fiddleheads are the edible young shoots of ostrich or northwestern lady ferns that take their name from their resemblance to a violin's peghead. Fiddleheads are the Vermont state vegetable. Harvest fiddleheads for two weeks at the end of April and beginning of May. Learn tips on how to identify Vermont fiddlehead ferns to avoid picking and eating similar, but inedible, ferns.
The more than 800 species of ferns, which are members of the Filicineae family, range from less than an inch to almost 100 feet tall. This diverse and versatile group of plants contains invasive aquatic species, climbing vines that take over entire forests and a range of hardy indoor and outdoor landscaping plants grown for their attractive foliage. Though fern species vary widely, none produces flowers. Rather, ferns reproduce through spores that are disseminated through wind and rain.
Red ferns are not an actual species of fern. However, a few types of ferns have reddish foliage or red stems during at least some of their growth stages. Red on a fern, instead of solid green, makes a more colorful outdoor landscape addition or more colorful potted indoor plant.
Epiphytes are plants that attach themselves to trees or other plants but only depend on that plant for mechanical support, not for any type of nutrition. Although there are many types of epiphytic plants, the staghorn fern and the resurrection fern are two of the most interesting and hardy types of air plant. They are also frequently grown as houseplants.
House plants are a favorite decor choice with homeowners who want to add a touch of green to their indoor spaces. Indoor plants are attractive and functional -- some even remove toxins from the air -- in any location. That attractiveness and usefulness is diminished, however, if the plants become infected with insect pests.
Non-flowering plants are species of plants that do not produce seeds and flowers; these types of plants generate via spores. Many species of vascular and non-vascular plants fall into the category of non-flowering plants. Vascular plants contain vascular tissue in leaves, stems and roots while non-vascular plants lack these water-carrying tissues. Vascular tissue allows plants to grow to greater heights. Landscapers use non-flowering plants such as moss as ground-cover and ferns as ornamental plants.
Asparagus is a hardy perennial vegetable that can produce for up to 20 to 30 years if the bed it's planted in is cared for properly, according to the University of Illinois. Asparagus is either male or female, but planting male plants is preferred since they don't waste energy on seeds like the female plants. After planting asparagus crowns you have to wait one year until you can harvest them. Fully mature asparagus has a fernlike look to it.
Ferns are some of the world's oldest plant varieties, with evidence found in fossils. Popular in the Victorian era, ferns were originally grown inside greenhouses and atria. Many fern varieties do not grow outside because of cold-tolerance issues, so they're grown as houseplants instead. However, hardy fern varieties do exist -- and they withstand cold weather throughout much of the United States.
Tree ferns belong to the order Cyantheales. These primitive ferns date as far back as the Triassic period, an estimated 251 to 199.6 million years ago. Most tree ferns grow in tropical regions of the world, at high elevations located in older forests. However, tree ferns found at low elevations exist because of colonization or habitat disturbances.
Ferns usually have finely cut leaves or fronds that grow out of a rhizomous root. The leaves of the fern typically arise from a central spot, and no other above-ground structure is seen. Ferns are more primitive than conifers and flowering plants. Their leaves are evergreen, staying green throughout the winter and then dying back after the new young leaves come up in the spring. You can propagate ferns from spores, but they take many months to grow to a larger specimen. Dividing ferns gets results faster and more reliably.
Native to much of the U.S., coreopsis is a perennial wildflower that has endeared itself to gardeners all over the country. Depending upon which of the many species of coreopsis you choose to grow, the plants thrive in US Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 9. Sun-loving and easy to care for, coreopsis grows easily from seed. The flowers appear in spring and continue until the latter part of the summer. In addition to standard types, many colorful new varieties of coreopsis are available to the home gardener.
Spider ferns are hardy, healthy indoor plants that require little extra care beyond the basics. They are frequently grown indoors as houseplants and do well in hanging baskets, planters and pots. Keep a spider fern plant healthy by supplying it with the best growing conditions for the fern and maintaining them over the plant's life cycle.
The Christmas fern is a strong, adaptable perennial that is hardy in growing U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 to 9. It is evergreen, found in woods and near streams, but can also do well as a border plant in partially-shaded areas. It rarely has problems with any pests. Christmas fern provides excellent erosion control, due to its favoring low hillsides and stream banks. It is also an excellent host for butterfly larvae.
One of the most welcoming features of spring is the verdant green canopy that springs up from the bare winter landscape. As the temperature rises, plants begin to leave their dormant state and put out new green shoots and leaves. This radical transformation is based primarily on the growth of plant cells that come together to form green shoots, twigs and leaves. The green cover that blooms during spring depends primarily on a green molecule called chlorophyll.
Boston ferns were popular during the Victoria era due to their apple-green color and rapid growth. The herbaceous plants are native to Africa, Polynesia and South America but have naturalized in many parts of the United States. Today, Boston fern plants are common potted plants and hanging baskets. They are hardy and evergreen in Southern climates. They die back when exposed to frost in Northern climates but reemerge in spring.
Tropical plants and flowers are favorite selections for both indoor and outdoor growing. These plants, which originate in hot, humid climates, are ideal for adding color and texture to outdoor and indoor locations. Depending on the area, most will do well outside as long as watering and sun requirements are met. In cooler areas they may be brought inside when the temperature begins to drop. Cost is sometimes prohibitive, but can be supplemented by making smart selections that will fill out well, requiring fewer plants.
Ferns plants are older than land animals or even the dinosaurs. These leafy plants have a "vascular system" which means that they have well-developed vein structures that support the flow of water and nutrients. Ferns reproduce from spores unlike other vascular plants that use seeds for reproduction. The size of ferns varies between different species. Tree ferns can grow up to 60 feet with fronds 15-feet in length. On the other hand, species that belong to the genus Axolla, have fronds no bigger than 0.2 inches in diameter.
Ferns do not do well in direct light. Consequently, they should be placed indoors or planted outdoors in low-light conditions. Outdoors, ferns grow in moist, forested areas. The are considered vascular plants because they have highly developed vein structures that prompts the flow of nutrients and water throughout the plant.
Fern plants have root structures known as rhizomes, which are reproductive plant parts consisting of a horizontal stem that has shoots growing up and roots on the underside. Although ferns are attractive indoor or hanging plants, they eventually become root bound and outgrow their container. When this happens, the plant must be separated or repotted in a larger container. If this is not done soon enough, the original pot may have to be broken or cut in two if it's made of plastic. However, with careful handling, this can be done without harming the fern.
A stroll through a cool, shady forest reveals both ferns and mosses, often flourishing side by side. Ferns have a vascular system for transporting food, water and minerals up through hair-like roots. Mosses have no true roots, nor do they have a vascular system, according to the Annenberg Learning website. Mosses instead absorb water and minerals from the soil on which they grow. Despite these significant differences, mosses and ferns share some surprising similarities that have served both well for eons.
Ferns are primarily grown for the elegance and beauty of their fronds. Though the feathery foliage gives the plants a fragile, elegant appearance, these robust perennials flourish in sites where many plants perish -- such as deep shade or poorly drained soils. While the majority of ferns welcome light applications of organic materials, they do not respond well to synthetic plant foods.
A landslide can occur when earth, soil or rock can no longer hold itself up and gives way to gravity due to earthquakes, volcano or rainfall. Landslides can move slowly or quickly with disastrous effects. To prevent landslides on your property, there are a few things you can do both temporarily and permanently. Keep in mind that if a landslide threatens your home, you should evacuate immediately.
Ferns belong to the Pteridophyta, or fern, division of the plant kingdom. Species of fern belong to numerous classes, orders, families and genera, though all reproduce via spores rather than seed. Gardeners looking for winter ferns must consider two factors: climate and planting environment. Hardy evergreens grow in cold climates and make for good winter species. Evergreen ferns not tolerant of cold climates grow indoors during the winter months or outdoors in warm climates such as Florida.
Sensitive ferns are named for their inclination to wither at the slightest frost. They're also known as Bead Ferns because drops of water bead up on the surface on the fronds when they get wet. Fossils of similar-looking ferns have been found, dating back to the time of the dinosaurs. Sensitive ferns are one of the first ferns to appear after flooding, and are easily recognized by their fertile fronds, which look like long clusters of brown beads on a stalk.
Ferns fill a shady area with frilly, lacey fronds that may seem delicate, but tolerate cold and hot temperatures and come back fuller year after year. Grow ferns outside under trees, in hanging containers on the porch or in a pot indoors.
Japanese beetles are common garden pests that effectively destroy plants through consumption and proliferate infestation. They affect gardens from Maine to Georgia, Massachusetts to Iowa and, in rare instances, areas as far west as Colorado. Ferns are a group of plants from numerous genera and families that occur naturally throughout the world. Despite a number of common natural habitats from the United States to Japan, ferns and Japanese beetles are rarely bedfellows.
Ferns can be found at nearly any store that sells plants and are known for their curly, feathery leaves and their primordial appearance. Ferns are indeed a type of plants--one that encompasses over 12,000 different species. There are a number of features that keep these organisms solely within the plant kingdom.
Ferns have been a staple of earth's foliage since prehistoric times. These flowerless and seedless plants come in thousands of species, adding essential ground cover to natural forests. Though no fern grows in a pure, brilliant red, a handful of varieties feature accents from the warm color scale.
Gardeners who want to add ferns to their landscape need to know when and where to plant the bulbs. Ferns are shade-loving plants, and most ferns tolerate partial to full shade throughout the day.
Staghorn ferns (Platycerium spp.) are curiously unusual tropical house plants. The plant has varied growth habits with basal and foliar fronds (large divided leaves). Basal fronds are large and round, and attach to a growing surface in overlapping layers. Foliar fronds are erect and divided, and produce brownish spore structures that can be germinated into new plants. Cultivating staghorn ferns brings odd beauty to your home's décor.
Many ferns grow in Massachusetts; 68 different varieties have been pinpointed in New England. Ferns have been around for thousands of years, and are sought after because of their fronds and structure. Ferns require moist soil, and usually thrive in shade or part shade, so these conditions must be meet for success in growing ferns in a home landscape.
Living plants are preferable, but they're not always plausible. Not all homeowners are skilled at keeping plants alive. Others may wish to grow plants that do not thrive in a certain environment, leaving the gardeners looking for other options.
Although conifers such as pine and spruce trees may seem vastly different than the low-lying fern, the two also share many similarities. Both are plants and use a process called photosynthesis to create food, as well as other shared traits.
An air fern is marketed in many garden centers as a carefree plant. Air ferns do not need water, fertilizer or even light. That's because these plants are not actually plants and aren't alive. Air ferns are actually a decoration. They are often sold in a container just like a plant for people who like the idea of having plants but aren't excited about the notion of caring for them.
Fern spider plants or pteris multifida are popular houseplants for their small size and ability to grow in low lighting. Caring for spider ferns requires proper placement of the plant, so that it gets enough sunlight for photosynthesis.
Platycerium bifurcatum, commonly known as a Dutch staghorn fern, is a tropical plant that does not grow in soil. Instead it grows attached directly to trees and rocky outcrops. They have two sets of fronds, one type are upright green fronds that look like deer antlers, and the others are flat brown disc-shaped basal fronds which cling to the plant's mount. They can be grown in greenhouses or outdoors in subtropical climates mounted directly onto plywood.
Conifers are flowering plants, though their flowers do not look like those of roses, petunias or daisies. Despite differences in size, color, fragrance and other features, the flowers of conifers and all other flowering plants provide for pollination, which is necessary for the production of viable seed.
Fiddlehead ferns are wild plants that normally grow in moist soil along rivers, streams and near the edges of forests. There are numerous species of the plant, only one of which has been found to contain carcinogens.
A fern is a nonflowering perennial that grows best when planted in a shaded area with good air circulation. It is safe to plant most evergreen or deciduous ferns during the spring season.
Wood ferns are hardy perennial plants that can tolerate a variety of weather and soil conditions. Although wood ferns are native to cool, shady, moist areas, too much water can kill the plants.
The fern and moss families are both millions of years old. Both prefer moist, shady environments, and both survive in nearly every climate on Earth. However, ferns grow much taller than mosses due to structural and functional differences.
A wonderful part of Washington is appreciating the assortment of textures, shades and colors of the trees. Native commonplace trees are part of existing gardens, yet they also form the dense green forests that cover western Washington to the coast. This beautiful wild land builds its landscape using common native tree species.
Japanese painted ferns add a bright sparkle to otherwise dark beds. The feathery texture and metallic color contrast nicely against lush hostas, earning a starring role in the shade garden.
Fiddlehead ferns are actually the young, unfurled fronds of a fern. The name refers to their resemblance to the curled ornamentation on the neck of fiddles or violins. The fiddleheads of a number of ferns are edible and quite tasty.
Ferns thrive throughout the United States in shady locations with rich, moist soil. Ferns grown in the appropriate climate generally do not require excessive care, as these plants tend to flourish in the winter. Some gardeners plant ferns specifically to provide a living garden when other plants die off.
Not all ferns are alike. More than 12,000 species of fern grow around the world, from the Arctic to the tropics, and each group has different growth requirements. How much water a fern requires depends on the fern, but there are some guidelines for the most common ferns.
Nine species of native coneflowers (Echinacea spp) once filled eastern America's wild landscapes with their summer-to-autumn, daisylike blooms. These drought, heat and humidity-tolerant perennials have transitioned to life as widely grown home garden plants. Prized for their colorful flowers, they're also valuable medicinal herbs. The German government has approved Echinacea purpurea leaves, flowers and buds to treat colds and other infections, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website. 'Cotton Candy' is a showy, deep pink Echinacea hybrid cultivar.
The silver tree fern (Cyathea dealbata) is New Zealand's national emblem and appears on heraldry and often on sport team logos. It is called ponga by the indigenous Maori people and can reach 30 feet tall. The green fronds have a white-silver color on the undersides.
Young fern sprouts of several species are bright green and tightly curled, earning the nickname "fiddlehead." In spring, they are a coveted source of fresh, crunchy, tasty greens for salads, garnishes and snacking. If you're looking for edible ferns, head for their habitat. Ferns grow in shady, moist, wooded areas, often near water. Pick, wash, boil and eat them the same day, choosing stems that are 4 to 6 inches long.
Air ferns, in terms of life, rank alongside pet rocks. They are not ferns, do not require air and offer little other than satisfaction for curiosity seekers. They do, however, efficiently collect dust.
True ferns have foliage that adds depth and interest to shady garden nooks. They may not produce brightly-colored blossoms or sweetly-scented flowers, but ferns add beauty in areas where many flowering plants cannot thrive.
Ferns are plants that you can grow with ease and almost no care. They add visual interest to a room and can grow into large tropical showstoppers or stay small for a neat desktop, depending on the variety. Start your fern off right by planting it in the right soil. Give it a good place to live, and your fern will reward you with years of enjoyment. If you live in the tropics, you can plant and grow ferns inside and outside your home. For the rest of the world, since the cold will cause most ferns to go dormant…
Asparagus ferns are part of the lily family despite their close resemblance to ferns. In regions that receive mild winters, you can overwinter the asparagus fern outdoors as long as you've winterized the garden beds. However, if your region sees harsh winters, it is best to take the plant indoors until the last frost.
Ferns are low-maintenance plants that require very little fertilizer. Too much puts their health at risk, especially if the fertilizer contains excessive amounts of nutrients like nitrogen. Only a carefully chosen fertilizer, applied sparingly, promotes the fern's health and longevity.
Ferns and conifers have many similarities, such as photosynthesis, that give them their classification as plants. Beyond the most general similarities, however, they also share a history and habitat.
Autumn ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora) are hardy plants, tough enough to survive cold temperatures in the garden. They also change color throughout the growing season, producing copper-tinted fronds in spring before maturing to a summer green. The 2- to 3-foot-tall fronds age to a showy bronze in the fall, adding interest in shady landscapes.
Ferns and mosses are both examples of "primitive plants," according to J. Stein Carter of the University of Cincinnati Biology Department. They have not developed all the specialized systems that modern plants have, although ferns are more highly developed than mosses.
The term "fern" can refer to any of around 12,000 species of plants. According to the University of California Museum of Paleontology, these ancient plants have been around since at least the Devonian era -- about 400 million years ago. Ferns are divided into three major types.
Kimberly Queen ferns, which have the formal name of Nephrolepis obliterata, are native to Australia but can also grow in the United States. Unlike other ferns that grow outward, the fronds of the Kimberly Queen fern grow upward, which gives it the alternative name of the sword fern. The upward growth makes it a good choice for planters. Propagating a Kimberly Queen fern is done by dividing a mature plant into multiple smaller ferns.
Ferns produce a toxin in their leaves that discourages most vertebrates from eating them, although dinosaurs ate these plants in large quantities before their extinction. Most insects and animals that eat ferns only eat specific species of fern during specific seasons.
Ferns have been around for 300 million years, according to the American Fern Society. Today, more than 12,000 species of ferns grow throughout the world. Some ferns are used as house plants, such as the lady fern, frequently grown in hanging baskets; others, like the staghorn fern grow without soil by attaching to the bark of a tropical tree. The evergreen Christmas fern and the soft, silvery Japanese painted fern are known more for their appearance than growing habits. Despite differences in appearance and habitat, most fern varieties share key characteristics.
Ferns are vascular plants with internal vein structures that help transport nutrients and water throughout the fern structure. Unlike vascular plants such as flowers, ferns reproduce by spores. Regular fern species live for about 10 years.
Christmas fern is a common name for Polystichum acrostichoides, a plant native to eastern North America. Also known as "dagger fern" and "canker break," Christmas ferns feature fronds that grow to 2 feet in height.
Landslides are geological phenomena which occur when a large mass of rock, soil or other matter shifts, usually along a sloped path. Landslides may be fast moving, as in the case of mudslides, or relatively slow moving, causing fewer injuries. In either case, landslides pose considerable threats to man-made structures and can endanger human and animal lives. Planting flowers, shrubs or trees with extensive root systems can counteract the erosion caused by landslides, though the plants' benefit will depend largely on the scope of the landslide.
The term "air fern" is used to describe both a live green plant and a coral-based, nonliving, plantlike decoration. Neither are ferns but both do have a fernlike appearance. Living but dormant plants, sometimes called resurrection plants, are often sold as air ferns. When air ferns are presented as needing no care, they are usually not plants at all but the coral, Setularia argenta, which is harvested by boat and specially preserved to resemble a plant. Both the live resurrection plant and the preserved coral type of air fern are easy-care additions to the home. With proper care, both can…
Boston ferns are the most popular fern to grow both as an indoor plant and as a hanging plant outside. It is part of the Polypodiaceae family of ferns. It grows natively in tropical hammocks, or hardwood forests with broadleaf evergreens where it will carpet the ground in its lush growth. It prefers lots of light, high humidity and well-drained soil, but it will not tolerate cold.
The fern family dates back 300 million years and includes liverworts and mosses. Some species grow best in shady moist areas, while others prefer drier conditions. More than 500 species of ferns are suitable for gardens in the United States.
With their graceful foliage and ability to grow in low light conditions, ferns make an excellent addition to the indoor garden. Most ferns thrive as houseplants when given the proper growing conditions.
Ferns were among the first plants to emerge from the earth eons ago. They grow all over the world, in woodlands, tropical environments, deserts and even the arctic. Colors vary from silver and red to all shades of green. Most ferns do best in shady moist conditions.
Fiddlehead ferns are not a particular species of fern. Instead, the term “fiddlehead” refers to the young plants of a variety of fern species, which produce distinctively coiled fronds. These fronds resemble the scrolls -- or decorative headstocks -- of violins. Although most fiddlehead ferns contain toxic compounds, you can still eat the ferns safely in small quantities. People commonly boil fiddleheads or eat them raw in salads. The taste of a fiddlehead fern is reminiscent of asparagus.
A Macho fern (Nephrolepis biserrata) is originally from Texas -- hence the name. The Macho fern is a large tropical-looking plant, which grows in partial sunlight and is often used as a houseplant. Once planted, the fern will last for years in the same pot, sending out massive fronds reaching up to 6 feet in length. You can grow these ferns without much work as long as you don't let them freeze.
Fiddlehead ferns are not toxic. In fact, people have been eating these plants for generations. While a part of the diet in places like Australia and parts of Asia, fiddleheads are generally eaten only in New England in the United States.
The Kimberly queen fern is a variety of an erect sword fern. The leafy fronds of the plant grow in an upward direction rather than drooping toward the ground like other fern varieties. Although the Kimberly queen fern is typically planted in a pot and kept indoors, it can be grown outdoors in extreme southern United States locations that do not experience freezing temperatures.
If your landscape is surrounded by tall, shady trees and includes and over-abundance of cool, shady areas, you have the ideal setting for growing ferns. Although ferns don't provide flowers, the lush beauty and grace of the ferns will add interest to the landscape as they provide a refreshing, woodland atmosphere. Although sizes and shapes of ferns vary depending on the variety, all require rich, well-drained soil. Some ferns do best in full shade, and others will benefit from morning sunlight or light filtered through tall trees.
Ferns add cool greenery to shaded gardens and add a lush ground cover under shade trees and landscape shrubs. Ferns range from frost-tender tropicals like the birds nest fern (Asplenium nidus) that thrive only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 and 12, to the cold-hardy American wall fern (Polypodium virginianum) that is hardy to a chilly Zone 3. Most ferns sold as houseplants are tropical varieties that will perish in a cold winter. Before selecting a fern to plant outdoors, ask your nursery for the best variety to grow in your climate zone.
Sword ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are dependable, low maintenance plants. This fern produces great masses of long, narrow arching pale-green fronds. In good planting areas, the fronds reach 7 feet long.
Ferns are classified as vascular non-seed plants. Ferns reproduce through a system of spores and rhizomes. The vascular non-seed construction of ferns arose from the past evolution of plants when entire forests were covered with vascular non-seed plants. Modern forests are now filled with vascular seed plants, which include trees and flowers.
The Australian fern is actually called a tree fern, because of the height it reaches 30 feet. This is also a tropical plant that grows on a single trunk from which 18-inch-long leaves sprout. Its stem is 12 inches in diameter to support the sizable plant. In the United States, the Australian tree fern is only hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 and 11, which have the climate to support it. So, that's your first caring step: plant your Australia fern in a region where it can thrive.
Add beauty and texture to a home or office space with artificial plants and ferns. Affordable and low maintenance, they come in a variety of sizes and types to suit almost any space. Artificial interior plants add greenery and liveliness to darker rooms, and artificial ferns can make a porch or front walkway inviting and lively. You can hang them from baskets, set a potted plant on a desk or table or use large plants or trees as space dividers.
Ferns have existed for more than 300 million years, according to the American Fern Society. Today, over 12,000 fern species exist; these plants share similar structures and methods of survival.
Vegetation has been growing, adapting and evolving for millions of years and in that time plants have diversified into many distinct groups. Within these groups are divisions that include the rarest flowers and the most common pine trees. In fact, the most visible divisions of the plant kingdom include mosses, ferns, conifers and flowering plants.
The silver fern plant, also known as ponga, is the national symbol of New Zealand. Its name is based on the silvery underside of its fronds. According to the New Zealand Department of Conservation, more than 200 species of ferns---40 percent of which grow nowhere else---are found in New Zealand.
Ferns thrive in Washington state's forests, mountains and meadows. Some of the state's most common native ferns can adapt to a variety of conditions and be successfully grown in home gardens.
Asparagus ferns are herbaceous perennial plants that provide fine texture accents and red berries for fall and winter interest. They resist drought and insect problems well but can fall prey to insects when indoor ventilation or environmental conditions are very poor.
Closely related to the vegetable asparagus, tropical species of asparagus ferns aren't edible but offer fine-texture foliage beloved by gardeners as houseplants or ground covers where frosts don't occur outside. Asparagus ferns develop into clumps, growing from underground tubers and roots that often store water to help them withstand hot, dry seasonal conditions. They flourish in soils that are moist and well-drained in partial sun to lightly shaded areas. Some that produce small red fruits are considered invasive weeds in subtropical regions like Florida.
Orchids, daffodils and ferns are lovely, but Mother Nature has created far more curious plants. Some of these strange organisms emit foul stenches to attract insects while others trap and devour unassuming bugs that can't sense the danger hidden in a pair of pretty leaves. Some even appear to exhibit human emotions like fear. Unusual plants may indeed be strange, but they are also fascinating examples of the wonders of nature.
Vascular plants are a foundation of life on Earth. Both ferns and flowering plants turn sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into food and oxygen. The fern family is ancient, whereas the flowering plant family, called angiosperms, is a more recent evolutionary development.
The Boston fern has been a popular houseplant since the middle 19th century in Europe and the United States. Most Boston ferns are grown as hanging plants, but some are started as table plants in 4- to 8-inch containers. With proper care, a Boston fern can grow and thrive for years.
Ferns range in color from deep to pale green species to multicolored varieties, changing as they mature. Ferns are stunning planted in shaded gardens, pathways and patios. Evergreen varieties provide a burst of much-needed color to the planting space, when many plants have died down for the season. If you happen to live in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zone 5, there are a wide variety of different ferns to choose from. Keep in mind, hardiness zone 5 has an average minimum temperature range of -20 to -10 degrees F. States in zone 5 include, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa…
When summer comes to an end, many gardeners find themselves facing the question of what to do with potted plants such as Boston ferns. Ferns are suitable candidates for making a move inside for the Indiana winter until the warm weather returns.
Ferns come in thousands of varieties. Identifying which variety you have can be difficult, as many ferns look very similar. These non-flowering plants are typically composed of stems and complex leaves. Looking carefully at these components can help you identify your species of fern.
Staghorn ferns belong to the epiphyte family of plants. Epiphytes are known as air plants, meaning they require a constant air circulation. The ferns grow best when planted in a wall mount block or as an indoor potted plant.
The "plants" known as air ferns are not ferns at all. In fact, the delicate air fern is not even alive by the time it ends up on display in a store.
House and lawn plants are attractive and healthy to have around. However, there are many common houseplants and plants in yards and gardens that are toxic to pets. Once such common plant that is grown both indoors and outside is the asparagus fern: beautiful, leafy green and deadly to felines.
Irregular antler-shaped fronds make Platycerium ferns immediately identifiable. The plants, also known as staghorn or elkhorn ferns, require no soil, living instead on the bark of trees or in hanging baskets in tropical and sub-tropical areas, pulling moisture and nutrients from the air.
Ferns are ancient plants, dating back to the Paleozoic era, 400 million years ago. Ferns have adapted to many climates and environments, capable of thriving in both temperate and tropical climates. Ferns are very adaptable for indoor pot growing and will do well in average room temperature---68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night, according to GreenShare, the University of Rhode Island's landscape horticulture program. Some varieties require cooler night temperatures.
Many different kinds of ferns exist for landscape and houseplant use, but most require the same general care to survive: low light, high humidity and occasional applications of a diluted all-purpose plant food. Direct sunlight, dry conditions and overfertilizing can quickly kill ferns.
Small backyards and apartment living don't have to limit your green thumb. When you run out of space for your plants, construct a hanging garden. Hanging gardens aren't just for ferns and flowers. Vegetables can also be grown and make efficient use of a limited space or extend an existing garden.
Ferns (Pteridophyta) are non-flowering plants which thrive in little or no direct sunlight. Ferns come in a huge variety and require little attention to grow well. They are not only favored houseplants but are often chosen for the shaded areas of landscape where it is difficult to grow other plants. Ferns are believed to be among the oldest plants on earth and date back nearly 350 million years. As reported by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, some of the wild species of ferns have shown some level of toxicity; however, all species of ferns which are used as houseplants…
Ferns are one of the easier houseplants to care for. Most ferns are bred to survive in a warm, moist, shady environment. While ferns need to be cared for daily, they require minimal effort. Certain ferns, like the staghorn fern, need special attention and unique environments, but for the most part ferns can be cared for as a group.
The plumosa fern is an indoor perennial plant that grows from 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 3 feet wide. The delicate weblike leaves form green feathery sprays which resemble a fern frond. In optimum light conditions, they can produce tiny fragrant white or pink flowers which are followed by purple berries. This fern makes a nice table decoration and can be used in a hanging pot.
The silver leaf fern, also known as the slender brake fern, is a slow-growing plant recognized by its green fronds with white undersides. It can measure up to 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall when fully grown.
The cotton candy fern is also called the Suzi Wong fern; its Latin name is Nephrolepis exaltata. It has chartreuse-colored leaves that are fluffy and soft to the touch, so it is said to resemble cotton candy. It can grow indoors or out, and works equally well in a gallon container or as a hanging plant.
Mother fern is the fleshy green fern that produces baby plantlets on its leaves. They are easy to grow and maintain but suffer from severe wilting when the soil conditions are not right.
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is an upright growing fern that can grow to about 3 feet long and 6 feet wide. It is native to the swamps and forests of Florida, but also grows in regions from as far south as South America to Polynesia and Africa. Boston ferns make attractive houseplants and are hardy in the USDA zones 9 to 11. Place Boston ferns indoors where they will receive filtered light, moist soil and high humidity.
Ferns belong to a group of non-flowering plants. There are around 9,000 different types of ferns. They thrive in high humidity and cool temperatures. The ideal nighttime temperature is 60 degrees or below, and 72 degrees or lower during the day. Ferns produce graceful, green fronds sometimes as long as 4 to 5 feet. Some draping ferns that thrive in hanging containers are Boston, birds nest, rabbit's foot, Hugenot, northern maidenhair and southern lady ferns.
Firecracker fern (Russelia equisetiformis) has several aliases, including firecracker plant, firecracker bush, coral bush and coral fountain. A native of Mexico, firecracker fern now thrives in USDA zones 9 through 12; its Spanish name is aretes de la cocineta (cook's earrings). Firecracker fern is most attractive when it is allowed to spill over a retaining wall or any other type of wall, such positioning puts its red, tubular flowers on display.
Ferns can be temperamental container plants because they require precise moisture and sunlight conditions to thrive. Ferns desire a partially shady growing location with ample moisture and humidity. If a fern outgrows its container and become pot-bound, it will require even more attention and care to keep it adequately moist. For this reason, repot your fern plants when the roots grow out to the sides of its current container.
Ferns can be started either from spores or by division of an existing fern plant. Because spore propagation is slow and difficult and fern plants need to be divided every three to five years to stay healthy, the division method is usually best for the home gardener. How you divide your plant will depend on what type of fern you have; ferns can be divided using rhizomes, edge division, or clump division, depending on the species. Find the section entitled "Fern Species" in the article "Hardy Ferns" from Clemson University to determine which method to use for your fern.
Light and airy, ferns add a graceful, lush point of interest to any home or garden. Hardier than they look, once established they are low-maintenance, low disease-prone plants bothered by very few pests. According to the National Fern Society, ferns have been thriving for millions of years, and there are nearly 12,000 recorded fern species worldwide. Transplanting outdoor or indoor ferns can be accomplished with relative ease.
Ferns are some of the oldest plants on the earth. There are about 20,000 species of ferns worldwide, the majority found in tropical regions. Unlike flowers, ferns reproduce through spores rather than seeds. They are a beautiful addition to your garden or home as house plants. Because they do not tolerate full sun well, they are a choice for shaded gardens or areas that receive indirect or partial sunlight in the home. Growth of indoor ferns can be encouraged year-round with fertilizer application. Outdoor plants, however, require a different schedule of feedings.
Ferns are nonflowering vascular plants, meaning that they have a tissue network of roots and stems for conducting water and nutrients through their systems. They are an ancient plant which scientists believe to have first occurred more than 350 million years ago. Even without flowers, they are a diverse group; estimates of the number of species range from 9,000 to more than 15,000. Tropical climates have the highest concentrations of ferns. About 300 to 400 species occur in the United States. They range in size from less than one inch to treelike plants up to 80 feet tall. Unlike flowering…
Ferns impart a backdrop of leafy greens for gardens and are a fairly hardy plant. But winter temperatures can wreak havoc on any plant, including ferns. Keeping your ferns thriving and healthy through the winter is simple, provided you make appropriate preparations. Depending on your residental climate, ferns can ride out the winter outdoors with extra precautions or inside your home or garage.
Fern plants are very beautiful, full and exotic looking; especially when hanging on a front porch, planted in large clumps surrounding a group of trees, or bordering a shaded flower bed. They are so wistful with their flowing stems and their colorful shades of green. Fern plants have been around for centuries; possibly because they are so carefree and easy to manage.
Staghorn ferns grow best in warm, humid shade at the V-intersection of two tree stumps or branches. Recreate a staghorn fern's native environment with helpful information from a sustainable gardener in this free video on growing plants.
Peonies are flowering plants in the genus Paeonia, which has 25 to 40 species. The fern peony (Paeonia tenuifolia) is an unusually small peony that grows less than 1 ½ feet tall and has delicate foliage. It's a hardy perennial that can recover from considerable damage as long as it has good drainage. The fern peony flower blooms spectacularly in early summer. It may be planted in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 3 through 8. This means that the plant requires a period of winter cold in order to thrive. You can grow more fern peonies by dividing…
The scientific name for Frosty Fern is Selaginella Krausianna Variegatus. This plant is an evergreen. The Frosty Fern grows well in hanging baskets indoors or for border areas for outdoor landscaping. Beginner gardeners will enjoy the Frosty Fern because it's easy to take care of.
Rumorha, also known as the leatherleaf fern, originates from South Africa. The leatherleaf fern prefers warm, humid climates and is often grown as ground-cover in U.S. hardiness zones 9 to 11. With proper care, it will also perform well as a houseplant.
According to Aboutferns.com, ferns populate all climates in the world except the sub-Antarctic. Most ferns are used in the garden or household to brighten the atmosphere. There are thousands of types of ferns, and this article touches briefly on five species.
Ferns are pteridophytes. The life cycle of a fern involves two distinct phases known as the alternations of generations. The first is called the gametophyte stage, and the second is called the sporophyte stage. The sporophyte stage produces spores that develop into gametophytes. Gametophytes then produce female and male sex cells (or gametes). The female gametes are fertilized and develop into a new sporophyte so that the cycle can continue.
Lacking both flowers and seeds, ferns are a popular non-flowering plant choice for their wide spreading leaves and deep green color. Kept both indoors and throughout landscape plans, ferns can be successfully cultivated using several different strategies. Lighting, soil and fertilizer play important key factors in fern care.
Fern plants make up one of the largest family of plants with somewhere in the neighborhood of 11,000 species being identified. Ferns are also one of the oldest plants, being around for more than 300 million years. Fern plants also grow under different conditions in many parts of the world.
There are thousands of different kinds of fern plants. They are from the plant division Pteridophyta and don't produce flowers and seeds. Ferns need to be protected from the wind and kept out of strong sunlight.
Most staghorn ferns are native to the rainforests in Africa, Tropical Asia and Madagascar with one species in South America. As epiphytic perennials, these ferns have the ability to grow without soil and are often referred to as air plants. Although one species grows on rocks in the Australian desert, most are found growing attached to trees in the forest canopy. Staghorn ferns can be grown in your home attached to wood and require very little care.
The Boston fern, a cultivar of a wild fern in Florida, has been popular in the United States and Europe since the middle 19th century, notes the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. When you first bring home a Boston fern, the plant looks lush, green and elegant. It requires specialized care to avoid drying and loss of leaves and color.
The macho fern is appropriately named, due to its sturdy, massive fern fronds. The macho fern can grow to 3 or 4 feet high, and prefers to grow outside in very humid climates, usually zone 10 or higher. Macho ferns are one of the easiest ferns to grow, so many novice gardeners are thrilled with how little effort they require.
Boston ferns are known for their lush and green foliage. Most people display these ferns in the summertime, hung from decorative pots. But after your Boston ferns have displayed their impressive green branches, you can plant them in your garden in warmer zones. There are many ways to plant your Boston ferns.
Most garden ferns flourish in a shady position, where many more flamboyant plants fail to thrive. They are fascinating and beautiful plants, and their elegance and architectural impact make up for what they lack in color. You can use garden ferns in a mixed border, like any other perennial, but an area devoted solely to ferns looks especially effective--and very natural.
Rabbit's foot fern plants are beautiful plants to grow in your garden or home. Learn all about rabbit's foot fern plant care with gardening tips from a horticulturist in this free gardening video.
Boston fern plants are beautiful plants to grow in your garden or home. Learn all about Boston fern plant care with gardening tips from a horticulturist in this free gardening video.
