Sword Fern
Taxonomy
Nephrolepis abrupta
Nephrolepis
Nephrolepidaceae
Polypodiales
How to care for Sword Fern
How often to water your Sword Fern
every 7
Sword Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
7
Finding light for Sword Fern in your home
a window
Sword Fern can tolerate being far from a window and light source.
Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Sword Fern in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Sword Fern
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Sword Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Help!! What’s wrong with Maudie? She was doing great until last week brown stems falling leaves. I fertilized a couple weeks ago is the only new think. She was big and beautiful and green. I cut back all the brown stems.
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Should I give him a buzz cut or just wait?
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Hey everyone! I’m super new to plants, and I got this lemon button fern back in May. It’s my first ever houseplant that I’ve managed to keep alive for so long, and I’d like to keep it that way! He’s been growing, but slowly. The best way I could describe it is surviving but not thriving. I have a humidifier nearby and I keep him in a north facing window. I notice the fronds lose leaves the closer they get to the soil. If any of yall have any tips to get him in better shape, I’d really appreciate it! ^_^ #NewPlantMom #PlantTherapy #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict
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How to help lemon button fern/erect sword fern thrive? Hey yall! I’m super new to plants, and I got this lemon button fern back in May. It’s my first ever houseplant that I’ve managed to keep alive for so long, and I’d like to keep it that way as best I can, lol. He’s been growing, but slowly. The best way I could describe it is surviving but not thriving. I have a humidifier nearby and I keep him in a north facing window. I notice the fronds lose leaves the closer they get to the soil. If any of yall have any tips to get him in better shape, I’d really appreciate it! ^_^ #NewPlantMom #PlantTherapy #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict
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Kylie is quite large but has brown leaves throughout her. She seems to be root bound. I’m new with ferns. Should I just try and gently PULL her apart into 1/3 or 1/4 sections or individually slice her into quarters before replanting them? #BostonFern
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She's browning The soil has not become dry, nor do I think it has been sitting in pooled water to where root rot would be an issue. The humidity has fluctuated a lot from 55% to 70%. I had the pot about 2 feet from an East facing window with sheer curtains. There used to be more green fronds, but now so many are brown. I moved her into a bathroom that stays at or above 65% humidity. Is there hope?
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Just got this little one. I have a spot that receives lots of filtered light but is a little darker, but near my bathroom so lots of daily humidity. Should I put it there even if the light is less? #ErectSwordFern
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BRACE YOURSELF.. She’s rough. Help Help Help…So I’m a first time plant parent, and I have no idea what I’m doing.. I thought I placed Fergie ( that’s my ferns name) close/ far enough to a window but now I’m re thinking.. this window gets mid day light but only for a couple hours and she’s in a bathroom.. I was hoping she would get enough steam since it’s what we use each day but idk.. I’m so lost, please help! Also, be kind.. I really want this to work out but I need positive and reassuring help!
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Idk if this is normal Recently only almost half the leaves of my plant started becoming brown and crispy, I think burnt - I’m a newbie and the plant is not in direct sunlight, I water every day, and it’s at a railing
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What is going on with Melvin! I just got him two or so weeks ago, thriving and has been perfectly fine until two days ago when he started to wilt? I wait until the soil is completely dried up to water, moved him further from the window but I’m in rainy season in the west coast so not much sun happening anyway. I’m a very new plant owner and am unsure on how to identify and fix theses issues. Any help appreciated! #BostonFern
Care Summary for Sword Fern
Sword Fern
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 7 days
Placement
< 6ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.