Great Plant Pick: Upside down fern

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 29, 2024

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The upside down fern prefers light to open or dappled shade and regular to frequent watering. (Richie Steffen)

What: Can foliage be both bold and delicate? Yes, it can! The upside down fern — also known as arachniodes standishii — has relatively broad, bold fronds, but the blades are lacy or feathery in appearance by being tripinnate-pinnatifid, in botanical lingo. This just means the frond leaflets are multidivided. With a vase-like habit, this evergreen fern arches elegantly over smaller companions.

Where: Plant this fern in a shaded site — light, open or dappled — in rich, well-drained soil.

Size: Reaches 2 feet high by 3 feet wide in 10 years.

Care: Provide regular watering during dry periods and frequent watering during hot spells.

— greatplantpicks.org