Santa Rosa Tropicals Fern Information

'Macho Fern'
Nephrolepis biserrata

Originally grown in Texas (obviously), this is the ideal fern for LARGE baskets. It looks fine finished as a 6" pot up to a 10" basket and even as gallons for growing outdoors Do keep in mind that this is the grandaddy of all the Nephrolepis baskets. If you grow it as a 10" or larger basket, plan on giving it lots of room! If it is to be a landscape fern, it can take full sun for much of the day!

Growing Information

Zone: 9-10

Light: Filtered sun to some full sun. It will begin to burn if the leaves get too hot. Inside the home it is usually too dark.

Temperature: Comfortable house temperatures are fine. Can be grown outside as long as temperatures do not go below freezing

Feed: Quarter to half strength of any soluble fertilizer when new growth is present. Miracle Gro® or equivalent works well.

Water: more ferns are harmed by overwatering than holding back on the water. Water well then allow to dry lightly before watering again.

Potting Mix: Should have some peat to hole fertilizer salts and moisture, but the mix must drain very well. Dolomite lime supplies Ca and Mg helps keep good color.

Pest Control: Quite pest-free. Most pests can be brushed off with a Q-tip and alcohol or just plain water if found early enough.

Pot size: 6" pots or 6" to 10" baskets. Plastic pots dry out more evenly but clay looks great.

Repotting: Can stay for a very long time in a pot. Problems arise when it is so pot bound that it requires water too often. Your fern can then be moved up to a larger pot, or divided quite safely into several new pots. (See our 'Fern Tips' page for simple tricks to help when repotting your ferns).