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!
Our Top 10 Picks for You
- 1. Boston Fern
- 2. Lady in Red Fern
- 3. Foxtail Fern
- 4. Burgundy Lace Painted Fern
- 5. Ostrich Fern
- 6. Maidenhair Fern
- 7. Bird’s Nest Fern
- 8. Asparagus Fern
- 9. Rabbit’s Foot Fern
- 10. Kimberly Queen Australian Sword Fern
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)
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 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!
