Macho Fern
Nephrolepsis bisarrata
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Macho Fern - #3 Container is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Macho Fern highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly

Growing Zones 10-11 or as an indoor plant
Go big or go home! The Macho Fern (Nephrolepsis bisarrata) is one of the biggest Fern accents available for your porch and patio! Sporting beefy fronds that are broad and long - they create an eye-catching coarse texture as they drape over pots and hanging basket sides, or over the edges of an indoor planter! The dark green color and upright spread look fantastic and require little maintenance to keep it looking spiffy year-round!
Shaped like the more traditional Boston Fern but bigger and broader, these are quite the conversation piece when anyone asks how you got your Fern to grow so large! You'll certainly receive many accolades for your efforts! Lush deep green and full of evenly spaced, opposite pairs of toothy lobes fill the entirety of each long arching fond! Ending at a lovely point, each leaf has a high impact in the container or warm climate garden as they do in the vase! Florists love these big leaves for their bouquets and cut flower gardens!
Outdoor hardy in shady USDA growing zones 10 and 11, these soak up the humidity, heat and moisture and are classic big focal points on a summer porch or patio! While it can vary in size depending upon where it is grown, give it room to pile on the nearly 4-foot long fronds, and grow into a 3-4 foot tall, and 3-5 foot wide arching mound!
Planting and Application:
These are incredible specimens that boost your summer porch and patio, sure to attract loads of attention in hanging baskets and patio pots! These high-impact accents add lacy coarse-textured greenery to your summer entertaining areas, seating areas and shaded poolside areas! The deep green fronds occasionally become festooned with dark spots on the undersides, known as spores.
Perfect for large planters and upscale pots, both indoors and out! Plant around a water feature or your sunroom, just a single plant will take up the whole corner once it's reached mature size! Set up on a tall pedestal to best display the arching fronds! Northern growers can even include these as annual accents in mixed planters, then as frost approaches, these big beefy tropical plants can be brought in for the winter.
- Super-Sized Deep Green Fronds
- Long Arching & Cascading Growth
- Huge Accents & Greenery Specimens
- Houseplant, Pots & Planters, Indoors & Out
- Outdoor Accent & Filler in Shady Zones 10-11
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Outside these Ferns thrive in part shade and full shade, appreciating consistent moisture in the soil and the air humidity. Provide bright, indirect light indoors, even tolerating a few hours of direct sunlight in the winter months and in cooler zones. Plant in well-drained locations with moderate moisture indoors and pot in very well-drained enriched soil. Remove any yellow foliage and tattered fronds to keep the plants clean.
- Bright Indirect Light & Part Shade to Full Shade Outdoors
- Moderate & Consistent Moisture
- Enriched Organic Soil
- Very Low Maintenance
- Mist Often When Indoors
Big brawny Macho Fern will be sure to make a huge impact on your home, porch or outdoor living areas with these fantastic larger-than-life tropical plants! Order your quality exotics today from NatureHills.com!