Ferns – Plants and species

Ferns are incredibly versatile garden plants, with many fern species suited to everything from shaded garden beds to containers and indoor spaces. With their lush foliage and ability to thrive in low-light conditions, fern plants remain a popular choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

This diverse group of plants is defined by its foliage. Fern leaves—known as fronds—vary widely in size, shape, and structure, creating the remarkable diversity seen across fern species. From the towering fronds of tree ferns to compact varieties only a few inches tall, there is a fern for almost every garden situation.

Ferns grow from underground rhizomes and produce spores rather than  seeds, making them part of an ancient group of non-flowering plants that have thrived for millions of years.

Fern Plant Profile and Growing Notes

Ferns have been used as garden and indoor plants for centuries. They are valued for their adaptability, texture, and low-maintenance nature. Once established, most fern plants require little attention and are well suited to shaded or protected positions.

Unlike flowering plants, ferns do not produce flowers, petals, or seeds. Instead, they reproduce via spores, and it is their foliage that provides their visual appeal and versatility in garden design.

Some popular examples include:

• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) – A delicate, highly ornamental fern ideal for moist, shady areas and indoor settings.
• Tree Ferns – Large, structural plants that create height and impact in the landscape.
• Cheilanthes species – Well suited to drier and sunnier conditions than many other ferns.

Why Grow Ferns in Your Australian Garden?

Ferns are an excellent choice for Australian gardens thanks to their adaptability and low maintenance requirements.

• Thrive in shaded and filtered light conditions
• Require minimal care once established
• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use
• Provide year-round greenery and texture
• Include both lush shade lovers and drought-tolerant species

Their prehistoric origins and intricate fronds bring a unique, natural aesthetic that works well in modern, native, and tropical garden designs alike.

Fern Varieties and Uses

There is a wide range of fern species available, each suited to different uses in the garden:

• Tree Ferns – Including Cyathea and Dicksonia, these are iconic Australian landscaping plants that add height and structure.
• Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum) – Popular indoor ferns with fine, delicate foliage.
• Asplenium (Bird’s Nest Fern) – A hardy group with bold, architectural leaves.
• Blechnum – A diverse genus, with Blechnum nudum being a reliable garden choice.
• Dryopteris (Wood Fern / Shield Fern) – Ideal for shaded woodland-style plantings.
• Pellaea – Including Pellaea rotundifolia, well suited to gardens and containers.
• Pteris (Brake Fern) – Easy-to-grow species such as Pteris tremula.
• Elkhorn and Staghorn Ferns – Popular mounted ferns, with Elkhorns generally easier to grow.

Choosing the Right Fern

When selecting fern plants, consider:

• Light levels (full shade vs partial sun)
• Moisture availability
• Indoor vs outdoor placement
• Desired size and growth habit

With the right choice, and an understanding of basic fern care ferns can be one of the most reliable and visually rewarding plant groups in the garden.

Do all ferns require the same growing conditions?

The answer is no, Different fern varieties require

• different moisture
• different light
• different temperature

5 Best Ferns for Indoors 🌿

Ferns naturally thrive in indirect light and humidity, making them ideal indoor plants. These five species combine classic looks with low maintenance.

Best indoor fern varieties:

1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) – Classic and lush with arching fronds; prefers filtered light and regular watering.
2. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) – Bold, wavy fronds; compact forms like A. antiquum ‘Victoria’ are great for modern interiors.
3. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.) – Elegant and fine-textured; keep soil moist and humidity high.
4. Button Fern (Pellaea rotundifolia) – Compact and tidy; perfect for desktops or terrariums.
5. Kangaroo Paw Fern (Microsorum diversifolium) – Tough and drought-tolerant once established.

💡 Tip: These species handle filtered light and indoor conditions better than most houseplants.

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5 Best Ferns for Foliage Colour or Texture 🎨

Not all ferns are shades of green—some feature silvery tones, painted leaves or unusual patterns for extra visual interest.

Top ferns for colour and texture:

1. Silver Lady Fern (Blechnum gibbum) – Compact rosette of silver-green fronds for a tropical accent.
2. Crocodile Fern (Microsorum musifolium ‘Crocodyllus’) – Textured, shiny leaves patterned like reptile skin.
3. Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) – New fronds emerge copper-red, aging to glossy green.
4. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) – Soft silver and purple tones for shaded borders.
5. Foxtail “Fern” (Asparagus densiflorus) – Not a true fern but prized for bright lime-green, fluffy stems.

🌿 Also try: Doodia aspera—its vivid red new growth adds bold colour to shaded gardens.

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5 Best Ferns for Deep Shade 🌲

Ideal for understories, shaded patios, or dim indoor corners, these ferns thrive with little light and consistent moisture.

Shade-loving fern varieties:

1. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.) – Prefers deep shade and humidity; excellent for protected positions.
2. Elkhorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) – Perfect for mounting on trees or walls in shaded areas.
3. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp.) – Dramatic feature fern suited to shady, humid environments.
4. Japanese Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) – Glossy, leathery foliage and excellent shade tolerance.
5. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium spp.) – Adaptable species that thrive in low to medium light.

💧 Pro tip: Many ferns evolved on forest floors, making them naturally suited to cool, moist shade.

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5 Best Ferns for Sun or Brighter Conditions ☀️

While most ferns love shade, a few are tough enough for part sun or bright light when kept well-watered and protected from harsh afternoon sun.

Ferns for bright or sunny locations:

1. Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus) – Handles full sun once established; perfect for pots or borders.
2. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus, hybrids) – Tolerates bright, indirect light and remains lush.
3. Kangaroo Paw Fern (Microsorum diversifolium) – Adapts to bright filtered light indoors or outdoors.
4. Fishbone Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia) – More resilient to sun than the Boston Fern; ideal for verandahs or balconies.
5. Tree Ferns (Cyathea cooperi) – Thrive in part sun when soil is kept consistently moist and mulched.

☀️ Tip: In sunny spots, increase watering and mulch deeply to protect fern roots from drying out.

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How Ferns Grow and Reproduce

Ferns reproduce in a few different ways, which helps explain why they are so adaptable in both natural and garden settings.

The most common method is through spores, which are produced on the underside of the fronds. These spores can develop into new plants, creating genetically different fern species over time.

Many ferns also spread through their rhizomes—underground stems that slowly expand and form dense colonies. This is why established fern plants often spread naturally through garden beds.

Some species are capable of producing new plantlets or bulbils directly on their fronds. For example, the Mother Fern (Asplenium bulbiferum) forms small plants that drop to the ground and grow on their own roots, so you can propagate ferns from Bulbils or Plantlets

Others, such as the Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum), can produce new plants where the tips of their fronds touch the soil, allowing them to gradually spread across the ground.

This combination of spore production and natural self-propagation makes ferns both resilient and easy to maintain, although growing them from spores can be slower than dividing established plants.

• Basic Fern Care

Explore Fern Plants and Nurseries

Ready to bring some ancient green beauty into your space? Explore our guides to popular fern species, complete with growing notes and care tips.

You can also find nurseries across Australia that stock a wide range of fern plants—perfect for adding texture, structure, and year-round greenery to your garden or home.

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