Do all ferns come back every year?

Ferns are hardy perennial plants. These perennials grow back yearly and do not require a lot (if any) of winter care.

Should ferns be cut back for winter?

After the growing season, you can cut back ferns once the foliage turns brown or wilts. This slight pruning helps keep the plant healthy and maintain a beautiful appearance. Remove fronds near the base.

Can hanging ferns grow indoors?

Ferns can live indoors with proper light, humidity, and water. Give them indirect light near a north- or east-facing window. Too much sun can scald the leaves. Use a sheer curtain to provide filtered light in sunnier areas. Water every few days, and fertilize regularly.

20 Best Ferns To Use In Hanging Baskets On Your Porch

Fern Care

More ferns die from overwatering than underwatering—water only when soil is dry to the touch. If leaves turn yellow and the soil is wet 1 to 2 inches beneath the surface, you are watering too much. Ferns love humidity and appreciate an occasional misting. Don't do so in direct sun, which could burn the fronds. Never fertilize a fern―or any plant―that is too dry. It can burn the roots.

These ferns bite the dust when exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures. Cut back the side fronds next to the pot's rim to overwinter them, and trim the top fronds to 10 inches. Bring the plant indoors, where it will receive bright light from a window. Water regularly, and by spring, you can take it back outside.

Some ferns have more challenging care requirements than others, so find a species that will thrive in your environment. Remember that hanging baskets dry out faster than other containers, so check them often by sticking your finger in the soil.

01 of 20

Boston Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

The 'Boston' fern is sensitive to humidity and light. This fern is known as the 'Sword Fern' because the blue-green foliage grows upright as it matures. This fern is slow-growing and can thrive year-round indoors. Give it bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. This fern can tolerate drought more than others, but it does like humidity. Outdoors, make sure to give it some shade.

02 of 20

Dallas Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata 'Dallasii'
Sun Exposure: Shade, Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)

'Dallas' fern is an excellent choice for beginners, especially those who occasionally forget to give their thirsty houseplants a drink. This neat and compact plant sports short fronds that have a ruffled appearance. Perfect for side tables, windowsills, or small baskets, this is the one to choose when space is tight. Bright, indirect light is best, but it can tolerate light from an unobstructed north- or east-facing window indoors. Keep it consistently moist.

03 of 20

Tiger Fern

potted plants aisles heather waraksa — Heather Waraksa

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

You will want to place the 'Tiger' fern in a prominent area to admire the beautiful foliage. This plant's bright green leaflets, striped with gold, work very well alone or as companion plants in baskets and containers. Place it in bright, indirect light, or partial shade and well-drained soil. Feed once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20.

04 of 20

Macho Fern

Shade Container with Green Plants — Robbie Caponetto; Produced by Mark Thompson

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis biserrata
Sun Exposure: Partial, Shade
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

One leaflet on a frond of 'Macho' fern can be the length of a ballpoint pen. This behemoth can grow 4 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide in the right conditions. Display it outside because the interior light usually is not bright enough. Try this fern in large containers and oversized hanging baskets for a dramatic show. When new fronds appear, feed with a one-fourth to one-half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. It loves heat and humidity and can tolerate the sun if it's not too hot.

05 of 20

Kimberley Queen Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis obliterata
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-5.5)

An upward-arching form makes 'Kimberley Queen' a natural choice for displaying near doors or entries. This lush fern has a bushy growth habit, and it can grow to 3 feet tall. Place it in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. Feed once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20.

06 of 20

Cinnamon Fern

Botanical Name: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Sun Exposure: Partial, Shade
Soil Type: Moist, Well-drained, Rich
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0-7.0)

These lacy fronds grow near streams or bogs. Dark-colored spikes contrast with deeply cut, lacy bright green leaves. The two contrasting colors easily identify it. Cinnamon ferns typically grow in the wild, but containers with rich compost soil can also work. They thrive in deep shade where they receive some dappled sunlight, but they can tolerate more sun in wet soil.

07 of 20

Southern Shield Fern

Botanical Name: Dryopteris ludoviciana
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral to alkaline (6.1-7.8)

These dark green fronds are glossy when mature and can reach up to two feet long. After establishing, this fern can tolerate droughts or dry soil. This fern is semi-evergreen in colder climates and grows along swamp banks or as ground cover on garden borders and edges.

08 of 20

Japanese Holly Fern

Botanical Name: Cyrtomium falcatum
Sun Exposure: Partial, Shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0)

This fern is not cold-hardy and has beautiful sawtooth foliage in glossy, deep green. The leathery appearance of this evergreen foliage highlights its rich texture, which produces long fronds that look like holly branches. If the fern grows too big for its container, you can divide it and develop a new section in a different pot. Plant in rich, acidic soil with even moisture. They do not tolerate standing water. Keep them out of afternoon sun.

09 of 20

Wart Ferns

Evergreen leaves of Wart fern of Hawaii — JADEZMITH / Getty

Botanical Name: Phymatosorus scolopendria
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, sandy
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0)

The 'Wart Fern' is also called the monarch fern, musk fern, or breadfruit fern. After being introduced during the early 1900s, it spread rapidly throughout Hawaii. Use this fern for ground cover, or easily grow it in a container since it doesn't grow too tall. Lobed leaves have a leathery texture with rows of bumps or “warts” that run along the midrib. They thrive in cool, moist areas, so keep them out of the afternoon sun.

10 of 20

Ostrich Ferns

Botanical Name: Matteuccia struthiopteris
Sun Exposure: Partial, full
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, sandy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5)

Ostrich ferns can spread rapidly in the right growing conditions because the roots expand. They add color to a shady garden where they thrive. Give them rich, moist soil. The foliage, growing in a vase shape, looks like a fiddle or violin, giving it one of its common names, the fiddlehead ferns. This quick-growing fern has a short season, usually beginning after the final frost in spring.

11 of 20

Autumn Ferns

Botanical Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
Sun Exposure: Shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

Autumn ferns are suitable for small spaces because they spread slower than others. The fronds emerge as a bright copper or orange-red, giving a fall-inspired palette and attributing to its name. This fern is excellent for year-round color because it fades to a glossy, bright green after the season. In addition to growing in baskets or containers, use autumn fern as ground cover in shady gardens. Plant in a shady, moist area in loose, fertile soil.

12 of 20

Fishbone Fern

Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifolia
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Soil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5)

This evergreen plant is known as the wild Boston, Boston Blue Bell Fern, and tuber ladder fern. Be mindful that spores, carried by the wind or water, can spread and develop into new growth. Fronds grow upright and sag, making it a good choice for hanging baskets. Give the fern bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.

13 of 20

Staghorn Fern

Botanical Name: Platycerium
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Epiphytic (grows in trees)
Soil pH: N/A

Staghorn ferns are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other things for support, making it possible to grow in wall containers. This houseplant is more challenging to grow than other ferns because of how it grows, but the distinctive, flat leaves that resemble deer antlers can reach up to three feet in length. Keep temperatures warm because this fern is native to sub-tropical regions. They like humid conditions and bright, indirect light.

14 of 20

Foxtail Fern

Botanical Name: Asparagus densiflorus
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

The 'Foxtail' fern gets its name because its leaves are feathery. This perennial evergreen produces red berries and small, white flowers. Reaching up to three feet tall and wide, 'Foxtail' ferns are considered invasive, so planting them with other species is not recommended. They are easy to care for, needing well-draining soil and filtered shade or morning sun. They’re drought-tolerant, so they’ll be fine if you forget to water them. They do well as indoor plants.

15 of 20

Maidenhair Fern

Botanical Name: Adiantum raddianum
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist
Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (7.0-8.0)

'Maidenhair' ferns are popular houseplants because of their stunning, fan-shaped leaves and slow growth rate. In nature, these ferns grow in between rocks in warm and steamy conditions and are incredibly hardy. These ferns with lace-like fronds need consistent watering and can quickly burn in too much direct sun. These ferns look nice in hanging baskets because they grow outward before trailing down. Give them some shelter outdoors.

16 of 20

Tassel Fern

Botanical Name: Polystichum polyblepharum
Sun Exposure: Partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, Chalky, Sandy, Loamy
Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (4.0-7.0)

These ferns spread outward in vase-shaped clumps up to two feet tall and wide. Native to Asia, the arching shape of this plant's foliage makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets. Golden hairs cover new fronds until the silver scales and dark green foliage appear stunningly on mature leaves. The tassel fern doesn’t tolerate full sun, so place it in an area with full or light shade. It’s not particular about soil pH, but make sure it has well-draining soil. It will not tolerate standing water.

17 of 20

Japanese Painted Fern

Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicum
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, clay, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0)

The 'Japanese Painted' fern has variegated fronds ranging from silver, gray, green, and purple. This fern is suitable for containers because it is slow-growing, about one foot every year. Shield the fronds from too much afternoon sun to protect healthy leaves and colorful displays.

18 of 20

Royal Fern

Botanical Name: Osmundaceae
Sun Exposure: Partial, Full
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich, clay
Soil pH: Acidic (4.0-6.0)

Often found in wetlands and marshes, this tall fern grows in a crowd of rust-colored clusters. This deciduous fern has pale green foliage that turns various colors in the fall, including yellow, gold, brown, and russet. If growing in an outdoor hanging basket, this fern species is also deer- and rabbit-tolerant. Don’t let the soil dry out. Royal ferns need consistently moist soil, especially if grown in full sun.

19 of 20

Champions Wood Fern

Botanical Name: Dryopteris championii
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)

This evergreen fern needs sheltering from strong winds, so move it indoors during storms or harsh weather conditions. Typically found in woodland areas, this fern is non-flowering but makes up for this by having deep green, arching fronds. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide.

20 of 20

Bird's Nest Fern

Botanical Name: Asplenium nidus
Sun Exposure: Partial, shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, loamy
Soil pH: Acidic

This fern gets its name because the center of the plant resembles a bird's nest. Long, lance-shaped, bright green fronds with rippled edges grow from the center rosette. These epiphytic plants grow on other plants in their native rainforest habitat. They like high humidity and bright, indirect light. Give them porous, well-draining soil such as a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. They like consistently moist soil that is not soggy. Bring the fern indoors when the temperature dips below 50°F.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all ferns come back every year?

Ferns are hardy perennial plants. These perennials grow back yearly and do not require a lot (if any) of winter care.
Should ferns be cut back for winter?

After the growing season, you can cut back ferns once the foliage turns brown or wilts. This slight pruning helps keep the plant healthy and maintain a beautiful appearance. Remove fronds near the base.
Can hanging ferns grow indoors?

Ferns can live indoors with proper light, humidity, and water. Give them indirect light near a north- or east-facing window. Too much sun can scald the leaves. Use a sheer curtain to provide filtered light in sunnier areas. Water every few days, and fertilize regularly.