Sword Fern Plant Care How To Grow Sword Ferns

Sword ferns perform best in moist shady conditions. However, as long as there is good drainage, the sword fern can easily adapt to a number of soil conditions. They can even thrive in the sun when given plenty of moisture. Sword ferns transplant easily in the garden.

How do you grow sword ferns?
How do you maintain a sword fern?
Do sword ferns need fertilizer?
Are sword ferns Hardy?
How long do sword ferns live?
Do sword ferns have deep roots?
How much sun do sword ferns need?
What animals eat sword ferns?
How often do you water a sword fern?

How do you grow sword ferns?

Sword fern grows best in light to deep shade, but will grow in full sun if watered regularly in summer. Plant in well-drained, humus-rich soil, and water occasionally during dry periods; however, these ferns will tolerate poorer soil and dry conditions once established.

How do you maintain a sword fern?

Western sword fern thrives in cool, humid climates and does best with full to partial shade. It needs well-draining soil so the area around its roots does not stay wet after watering. Overly wet soil encourages root rot.

Do sword ferns need fertilizer?

Fertilising Needs

The Sword Fern needs fertilising less often than other plants and make sure you only fertilise during the growing period which should be the spring and summer months. As this is a plant that requires less fertilising, make sure you dilute the plant food so it's not too strong.

Are sword ferns Hardy?

A hardy, drought-tolerant ground cover native to shady woodlands from Alaska to California in the United States, western sword ferns also are dramatic houseplants to brighten up a corner in a dark room.

How long do sword ferns live?

Each pinna is 1-15 centimeter long, with a small upward-pointing lobe at the base, and the edges are serrated with bristly tips. Individual fronds live for 1.5-2.5 years and remain attached to the rhizome after withering.

Do sword ferns have deep roots?

Sword Fern – Polystichum munitum

These ferns are extremely versatile and resilient. They thrive in moist soil and almost full shade, but can also survive in full shade and low nutrient soils. The deep roots become fairly resistant to drought once established.

How much sun do sword ferns need?

What animals eat sword ferns?

Ferns are relatively free of herbivores, toxic to them because of defense chemicals produced in the plant body. But there are moth larvae (caterpillars) that use them as food plants, and mountain beavers (unrelated to beavers), a forest rodent of the Pacific Northwest, also eats them freely.

How often do you water a sword fern?

Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil - weekly, or more often. Forms dense foliage clumps 3 to 6 ft.