10 Best Ferns for Home Gardens | Nature Hills

Everyone longs for a plant that's easy to care for, elegant, and versatile in landscaping. You'll be relieved to know that this picture-perfect plant is usually sitting right before your eyes.

Ferns will be your new best friend with their ability to add the perfect dash of elegance to your garden, patio, or indoor living area.

If you take a nature walk, you'll find these plants everywhere. If you've been thinking about adding one, this is your sign to bring those natural beauties into your backyard!

Whether mixed among your shrubs and Roses, placed in containers near your favorite relaxation spot, or hanging gracefully inside your home, these plants are calling your name!

There are a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes to choose from, and we're here to fill you in on their unique details that will have you wanting to order more than just one of these quintessential plants.

Fill the upcoming years with these unique and easy-to-grow plants. Kick back and watch your Ferns grow abundantly from inside your home or out on your patio.

1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

This popular houseplant will leave you smiling ear to ear with its soft, symmetrical green fronds that arch gracefully downward.

The Boston Fern is ideal for hanging baskets or containers in your kitchen or living room. Dress up your space with its timeless charm.

Place your Boston Fern near a bright, indirect light source like a sunny kitchen window. It thrives in shade and prefers cool, moist conditions.

Outdoors, Boston Ferns grow beautifully as summer annuals in shaded locations, but bring them indoors before frost arrives. Like all Ferns, they love moisture, so keep the soil consistently damp.

Light: Bright, indirect light or shade
Water: Keep soil evenly moist
Soil: Rich, well-drained mix
Zone: Indoors anywhere; outdoors in warm climates

2. Lady in Red Fern (Athyrium felix-forma 'Lady in Red')

Lady in Red is an American beauty with lacy green leaves and striking red-violet stems you won't be able to miss.

Pair this Fern with colorful flowering plants for a stunning garden display. It's perfect as a natural thriller in containers or as a garden border accent.

Light: Partial to full shade
Water: Keep soil evenly moist
Soil: Rich, humus-filled soil
Zone: 3–8

3. Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Myers')

The Foxtail Fern stands out for its lush, grassy-green fronds that grow in every direction, giving it a lively, sculptural look.

In summer, it produces tiny white flowers that develop into bright red berries by fall, adding a decorative touch to your landscape.

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate; keep soil moist but not soggy
Soil: Well-drained, organic-rich soil
Zone: 9–11 outdoors; patio or indoor plant elsewhere

4. Burgundy Lace Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum 'Burgundy Lace')

The Burgundy Lace Painted Fern features silvery-purple and burgundy tones that mature to soft green with vivid purple highlights.

This bold color combination adds a dramatic contrast to flowering perennials, especially alongside dark foliage plants.

Light: Partial to full shade
Water: Consistent moisture; never let soil dry out
Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Zone: 5–8

5. Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris)

ostrich fern in a pot - best ferns for houseplants

The Ostrich Fern is a garden favorite with vase-shaped, arching emerald-green fronds that resemble ostrich feathers.

Its large fronds bring tropical elegance to shaded garden areas or a lush mixed perennial border.

Light: Shade to partial shade
Water: Loves moist soil
Soil: Rich, organic, and well-draining
Zone: 3–7

6. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum)

The Maidenhair Fern has delicate, paper-thin fronds and glossy black stems that bring a graceful, airy texture indoors.

It pairs beautifully with low-growing flowering plants or other humidity-loving houseplants.

Light: Indirect or filtered light
Water: Keep evenly moist; prefers high humidity
Soil: Loose, well-drained mix
Zone: Indoors or frost-free zones

7. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)

The Bird’s Nest Fern stands apart with its broad, wavy fronds that rise from a tight central rosette, resembling a bird’s nest. This shape helps collect water and nutrients in the wild, giving it a naturally self-sustaining beauty.

Perfect for bathrooms, shaded patios, or terrariums, this Fern thrives in high humidity, indirect light, and evenly moist soil. Its simple form makes it ideal for modern spaces or minimalist décor styles.

Light: Indirect light to low light
Water: Keep evenly moist; avoid crown rot
Soil: Well-draining, rich mix
Zone: Indoors or warm climates

8. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus setaceus)

The Asparagus Fern is not a true fern but offers the same delicate, feathery look. Its soft, needle-like leaves spill gracefully from hanging baskets and containers.

This versatile plant grows quickly, tolerates drier indoor air, and adds texture to mixed planters. Keep it near bright, indirect light and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. It’s a stunning choice for a meditation garden or calm indoor nook.

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Moderate; allow topsoil to dry slightly
Soil: Light, well-draining mix
Zone: 9–11 outdoors; indoors elsewhere

9. Rabbit’s Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis)

The Rabbit’s Foot Fern earns its name from the fuzzy, creeping rhizomes that look just like soft rabbit paws resting atop the soil.

This whimsical feature makes it a favorite for hanging baskets, where the “feet” can drape over the edge. It thrives in moderate light, high humidity, and evenly moist soil. With proper care, it grows into a lush, textural focal point for indoor gardens.

Light: Bright, indirect light
Water: Keep moist; never let dry out completely
Soil: Loose, well-drained soil
Zone: Indoors or tropical regions

10. Kimberly Queen Australian Sword Fern (Nephrolepis obliterata)

The Kimberly Queen Fern is a refined cousin of the Boston Fern and one of the best varieties for indoor growing. Its upright, sword-shaped fronds stay tidy and compact, making it perfect for living rooms, offices, or hallways.

This hardy Fern tolerates lower humidity and less frequent watering than most, while still loving bright, indirect light. It’s an elegant, low-maintenance plant that brings lush greenery wherever it’s placed.

Outdoors, it also shines on patios and shaded porches. Indoors, the Kimberly Queen becomes an effortless centerpiece for year-round freshness and style.

Light: Bright, indirect light to partial shade
Water: Moderate; allow top inch of soil to dry
Soil: Moist, well-drained mix
Zone: 9–11 outdoors; indoor plant anywhere

Want to learn more about care and planting? Read our full guide on how to grow Ferns for easy tips and seasonal advice.

Bring the Beauty of Ferns Home

No matter your garden size, climate, or experience level, Ferns bring a refreshing touch of nature’s calm to any space. Their graceful fronds, sculptural textures, and endless shades of green can transform shaded corners, patios, and even indoor rooms into peaceful retreats.

From the timeless Boston Fern to the rare Lady in Red or the architectural Bird’s Nest, each variety offers something unique. Whether you’re creating a woodland sanctuary or decorating your living room, these plants reward your care with year-round beauty and serenity.

Explore Nature Hills’ full indoor and outdoor Fern collection to find the perfect variety for your home or landscape. With just a little attention and the right conditions, your Ferns will flourish for years to come, proof that sometimes the most beautiful things are also the easiest to grow.

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult are ferns to care for compared to other houseplants?

Ferns are considered among the easier houseplants to maintain, requiring no special skills beyond consistent moisture and the right light conditions. Most varieties, like the Boston Fern and Bird's Nest Fern, simply need bright indirect light, consistently damp soil, and a cool environment to thrive. Keep the soil evenly moist, avoid direct sun, and bring any outdoor ferns inside before the first frost to enjoy them year-round.

Which ferns grow best in a home garden, and what conditions do they need?

Several ferns thrive beautifully in home gardens, including the Lady in Red Fern, Ostrich Fern, and Burgundy Lace Painted Fern, all of which prefer partial to full shade and consistently moist, humus-rich soil. The Lady in Red Fern makes a stunning border accent with its lacy green fronds and red-violet stems, while the Ostrich Fern is a bold, large-scale choice for shaded landscape beds. Boston Ferns work wonderfully as summer annuals in shaded garden spots but should be brought indoors before frost. Choose your fern based on your available light and space, keep the soil evenly moist, and pair them with flowering plants or shrubs for a layered, dynamic garden display.

Are ferns safe to grow indoors if you have cats or dogs?

Some popular ferns are considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, including Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern, making them generally safe choices for pet-friendly homes. However, plants like Asparagus Fern are toxic to both cats and dogs and should be kept out of reach or avoided entirely if you have curious pets. Always verify the toxicity of a specific variety with the ASPCA's poisonous plants database before bringing any new plant indoors. If you have pets, stick with Boston Fern or Bird's Nest Fern as your safest indoor options and place them in hanging baskets to add an extra layer of separation from animals on the ground.

How do I know if a fern variety is toxic to my pets before bringing it home?

Not all ferns are created equal when it comes to pet safety, and some plants commonly called ferns, like Asparagus Fern, are actually toxic to cats and dogs despite the shared name. Before bringing any fern home, check the ASPCA's online toxic plant database at aspca.org, which maintains a comprehensive and regularly updated list of plants harmful to pets. When shopping at Nature Hills, you can also reach out to our team directly for guidance on selecting pet-safe varieties for your specific situation.

How much light do ferns need indoors, and can they handle direct sunlight?

Most ferns thrive in bright, indirect light indoors and should never be placed in direct sunlight, which can scorch their delicate fronds. A sunny kitchen or living room window is ideal, as it provides the filtered light ferns need to stay lush and healthy. Species like the Boston Fern and Bird's Nest Fern are especially well-suited to indoor conditions with consistent indirect light. Position your fern a few feet back from a south or west-facing window, or directly in front of a north or east-facing window, to give it the best chance to flourish.

How often should I water my fern, and how do I tell if the soil is too dry or too wet?

Ferns universally prefer consistently moist soil, so check the top inch of soil every few days and water whenever it begins to feel dry to the touch. If the fronds start to yellow or drop, the soil may be staying too wet, while brown, crispy tips are a telltale sign the plant is drying out too much between waterings. Use a well-draining, rich soil mix to prevent waterlogging, and in drier indoor environments, consider setting your pot on a pebble tray with water to maintain humidity around the plant.

What type of soil mix works best for ferns grown in containers?

For ferns grown in containers, a rich, well-drained soil mix works best, as it provides the nutrients and moisture retention ferns need while preventing waterlogged roots. A high-quality potting mix amended with compost or peat moss will mimic the humus-filled woodland conditions ferns naturally prefer. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, and choose a container with adequate drainage holes to ensure excess water can escape freely.

When should I repot my fern and how do I choose the right pot size?

Repot your fern in spring when you notice roots circling the bottom of the pot or poking through drainage holes, which typically happens every one to two years. Choose a new pot that is only one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one, since ferns prefer slightly snug conditions and overly large pots can lead to soggy soil and root rot. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix and water thoroughly after repotting to help the roots settle into their new home.

Why are my fern fronds turning brown, yellow, or crispy at the tips?

Browning or yellowing frond tips are almost always a sign of inconsistent moisture, low humidity, or too much direct sun. Ferns like Boston and Maidenhair thrive in evenly moist soil and prefer bright indirect light rather than harsh afternoon sun. Crispy tips in particular often indicate the surrounding air is too dry, which is common indoors during winter heating months. Mist your fern regularly, set the pot on a pebble tray filled with water, and make sure the soil never fully dries out between waterings.

Which fern varieties grow best outdoors in shady garden beds?

Several fern varieties thrive in shady garden beds, with the Lady in Red Fern, Ostrich Fern, and Maidenhair Fern being top performers in partial to full shade conditions. The Lady in Red Fern works beautifully as a border accent with its striking red-violet stems, while the Ostrich Fern is a bold, large-scale option for naturalizing shaded landscapes. Boston Ferns can also be grown outdoors in shaded spots during summer months, though they must be brought indoors before frost arrives in cooler climates. For best results, plant in rich, humus-filled soil with consistent moisture and choose a variety suited to your hardiness zone.

Top 10 Best Ferns For Your Home