I bought this young Asplenium from a garden centre. The fern was in an area dedicated to terrarium plants with the pot simply labelled as ‘fern mix’. I am uncertain what species or cultivar this fern is – I just know it’s an Asplenium.
As this fern grows and matures it is very likely to outgrow its terrarium, but that’s OK with me – I can enjoy this fern now and move it to a larger enclosure, or grow this fern as a houseplant at a later date.
Asplenium nidus ‘Campio’ is a gorgeous fern that produces wide, feather-shaped fronds in a delightful shade of fresh green. I’ve got two of these ferns, both have a rather bushy and upright habit, which I really like; their vertical poise is also useful as it makes it easier for me to accommodate Asplenium nidus ‘Campio’ alongside the other plants on my shelf.
Asplenium bulbiferum is a very beautiful subtropical fern from New Zealand. I adore the light and airy, carrot top like fronds that Asplenium bulbiferum produces; overall it has a very graceful appearance.
This fern grows as an epiphyte – the ferns grow upon other plants, instead of growing as a terrestrial plant that grows with its roots in the soil. I mount my Asplenium bulbiferum ferns on their own individual pieces of cork bark and gently secure their roots in place with a strip of material cut from an old pair of stockings.
Platycerium bifurcatum is also know as the Staghorn Fern; this is a stunning evergreen fern that naturally grows as an epiphyte – establishing itself on the trunks and branches of trees in its native environment in the treetops and rainforests of Java, Polynesia, Australia, and Asia. This is a slow-growing, long-lived fern that will enhance your home when grown as a houseplant.
Asplenium ‘Parvati’ is an evergreen fern with very pretty lacy fronds. A hybrid fern from Australia, Asplenium ‘Parvati’ is also known by its botanical name, Asplenium dimorphum x difforme (x Parvati). This fern’s common name is the ‘Mother Fern’, as it produces new baby ferns from its fronds. Although Asplenium ‘Parvati’ ferns have an intricate form and delicate appearance, these ferns are more robust than they appear; their fronds possess a toughened, waxy outer covering that helps the fern retain and conserve moisture.
I adore Asplenium fissum! I’ve been growing these gorgeous ferns for about seven years now. I really appreciate Asplenium fissum’s miniature size and endearing character and habit; I’m always finding myself admiring this fern’s decorative appearance and elegance. Perfectly sized for terrariums, Asplenium fissum is a miniature fern that won’t grow taller than 20cm tall. I must admit that most of my plants are smaller than this – many of my Asplenium fissum ferns have grown up to around 15cm tall.
Asplenium nidus is a gorgeous fern from Australia, Borneo, Sumatra, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Christmas Island, and the Philippines. In the wild, Asplenium nidus often grows as an epiphytic fern, making its home on the branches and trunks of trees in rainforests. Epiphytic plants are different from parasitic plants. Epiphytic ferns grow upon another plant but they don’t steal any nutrients from their host plants; epiphytes simply use their host to raise themselves up to a more profitable growing position where they enjoy improved light levels, moisture, and humidity.
Asplenium antiquum ‘Osaka’ is a gorgeous, tender fern that produces these absolutely fabulous undulating evergreen fronds. This tender fern makes a superb houseplant! Asplenium antiquum ‘Osaka’ has an architectural elegance, which compliments a wide variety of home decor styles. I love these ferns; they’re so handsome and elegant, with magnificent fresh leaf-green, ruffled fronds.
When placing your fern, choose a position where Asplenium antiquum ‘Osaka’ can enjoy fairly bright, but indirect light.
Adiantum pubescens is a small to medium sized terrestrial fern – a fern that grows in the soil or is planted in a container or planter. This fern produces soft-bronze coloured new growth; as the fronds grow their colour soon changes – established fronds are a lovely leaf-green colour.
If you’re thinking of growing Adiantum pubescens, let me give you some tips.
Rumohra adiantiformis ‘Variegata’ is an evergreen fern that produces mid green coloured fronds, which are highlighted with a lime green coloured stripe down the centre of each frond. This fern’s variegation is not overpowering, this fern isn’t going to glow in the dark! It’s quite a classy fern, with rather glossy green, variegated fronds.
Rumohra adiantiformis ‘Variegata’ ferns tend to display a creeping, spreading growth habit.
Athyrium spicatum is a borderline-hardy fern, from Madagascar. This small-sized fern produces gently arching fronds, in a lovely shade of leaf-green.
I think that this fern has a shape and form that most people would instantly recognise as being a fern. It’s a handsome, attractive fern with a pleasing habit and pretty fronds.
This fern thrives when grown in a semi-shaded to shaded position in a humid environment, such as a terrarium or large sized bottle garden.
Nephrolepis duffii is a tender fern from Asia. This is a pretty little fern, with a naturally arching habit and a compact form. Nephrolepis duffii thrives in terrariums. Nephrolepis duffii fronds feature a series of button like leaflets that have earned this fern the common names of button fern and lemon button fern. It’s said that this evergreen fern produces slightly aromatic fronds, that have an aroma that is reminiscent of lemons.
Bolbitis heteroclita ‘Difformis’ is miniature fern that can be grown both as a terrarium plant and as an aquarium plant. This fern can be used a part of an aquascape planting, where it will slowly form low feathery carpets of green to cover the sides of your tank. Alternatively, Bolbitis heteroclita ‘Difformis’ can grow as a submerged plant, underwater. This is a useful miniature, low-growing fern, with dark-green, finely-cut fronds that remind me a little of parsley.
Asplenium scolopendrium Cristatum Group are hardy evergreen ferns, with a naturally bushy form. Every Asplenium scolopendrium Cristatum Group frond splits and divides, which gives this fern a very unusual, frilled appearance. Older ferns are naturally more ruffled than younger specimens.
As well as being frilly, Asplenium scolopendrium Cristatum Group fern fronds display a lovely, leafy green tone. This is a bushy and healthy looking fern, which is a valuable fern, that’s an ideal choice for adding a lush, green look to shaded areas of the garden.
Actiniopteris australis is a tender fern that requires warm temperatures to flourish. This pretty little fern can be found growing in the wild in a wide range of countries and locations, including: Madagascar, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
Producing very pretty, palm like fronds on a diminutive scale. Actiniopteris australis is a charming fern to add to your collection.
Actiniopteris australis is a miniature fern, that grows to just 15cm (6 inches) tall.
I love Blechnum spicant, it’s such a handsome, charming little fern, with its narrow, dark green coloured pinnate fronds. Depending on this fern’s particular stage of growth, Blechnum spicant may form low growing rosettes with the sterile fronds leaning out horizontally, or if the fertile fronds are more predominantly growing, plants will appear as more upright and erect in their habit.
Polypodium formosanum is a fern that originates from the island of Kyushu, in Japan; this same fern species can also be found growing in Taiwan, in China. Polypodium formosanum’s common name is the Grub Fern, the Green Caterpillar Fern, or Blue Feet – after this fern’s striking rhizomatous growth – the protruding, glaucous blue-green coloured extending growth this fern produces.
If you want to grow more of these ferns, you can divide Polypodium formosanum to propagate it, or alternatively, you could raise more plants by sowing the spores.
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Emina’ is a tender, evergreen fern that grows to a minimum of around 30cm (12 inches) tall. It’s possible that this fern may grow a little taller if it’s grown in optimum conditions and is healthy and happy. Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Emina’ produces arching fronds with a twisted, curved detail all along each frond, giving this fern a more modern, striking, and recognisable appearance.
Asplenium x ebenoides is an attractive, evergreen fern, which has an upright growth habit. Asplenium x ebenoides is commonly referred to as the Dragon’s Tail Fern, as the tip of each frond resembles that of a mythical dragon. This naturally occurring fern hybrid hails from Alabama, and other regions in the United States of America.
Asplenium x ebenoides favours growing in moist, but well drained soil, this fern succeeds when it’s grown on limestone rocks, and in soils that range from alkaline to neutral.
Hemionitis arifolia is a particularly gorgeous species of miniature fern. This small, but magnificent fern produces deep green, glossy, heart-shaped fronds, which are held on very dark coloured thin and wiry stems. This really is such a handsome looking fern!
Hemionitis arifolia flourishes when it’s grown in evenly moist compost, as this fern doesn’t want the compost around its roots to become too dry.
