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Sword Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Sword fern is the native Florida fern behind the familiar Boston fern, with arching evergreen fronds that spread by runners into lush groundcover in warm, moist shade.

Family
Nephrolepidaceae
Type
fern
Lifespan
perennial
Height
1.5–3 ft
Spacing
1–3 ft apart
Light
part shade, shade
Soil moisture
moist, wet
Soil pH
acidic, neutral
Landscape uses
rain garden, erosion control, naturalizing
Native states
FL, HI, MI