Low-Maintenance Ferns
Dating back to 360 million years ago, ferns are one of the oldest plant lineages. They are a lovely choice for filling out shaded areas of the landscape. Keep reading to learn about some ferns that require minimal watering and care in Sarasota County.
Note: The following information is adapted from the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide.
Legend
Apart from the information presented in the table, the following features will be highlighted under each plant’s picture.
Light
: At least 6 hours of full sun
: 2-4 hours of full sun per day
: Full shade
Perks
: Attracts pollinators
: Attracts birds
: Edible parts*
Geography
: Native
: Non-native
Ferns
Sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
| Height | 1 to 4 feet |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness | 8B to 11 |
| Light Requirement | Partial sun to full shade |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Soil Preference | Slightly acidic (6.0-6.8), clay loam, medium-drained |
| Comments |
|
Read more here.
Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum)
| Height | 3 to 6 feet |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness | 3A to 10B |
| Light Requirement | Full to partial sun |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Soil Preference | Acidic to slightly alkaline (4.5-7.2), sandy loam, medium-drained |
| Comments |
|
Read more here.
Holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)
| Height | 2 to 3 feet |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Hardiness | 8A to 11 |
| Light Requirement | Full sun to full shade |
| Salt Tolerance | Medium |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Soil Preference | Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline (6.0-7.2), medium to well-drained |
| Comments |
|
Read more here.
Southern shield fern (Thelypteris kunthii)
| Height | 2 to 3 feet |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Hardiness | 8A to 11 |
| Light Requirement | Full sun to full shade |
| Salt Tolerance | Low |
| Drought Tolerance | Medium |
| Soil Preference | Slightly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0), medium to well-drained |
| Comments |
|
Read more here.
If you want to learn about other low-maintenance plants for your landscape, read the rest of our Low-Maintenance Landscaping blog series.
*Although we discuss edibility in this blog, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County is not responsible for any illness or injury associated with foraging. Be aware that some plants may have been treated with pesticides and are not fit for human consumption. Always exercise caution.
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