Fern Kimberly

Nephrolepis obliterata

Characteristics

Culture

Fern Kimberly is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11 where it may be grown in moist, humusy, well-drained soils in part shade. It is easily grown indoors as a houseplant. Use a peaty, soil-based potting mix. Site Fern Kimberly in bright indirect light with no direct sun. Tolerant of some shade. Soils should be kept consistently moist, with only a slight reduction in watering from fall to late winter. Prefers high humidity and may appreciate being set on a tray of wet pebbles. During the active growing season, spring and summer, a balanced liquid fertilizer applications may be made monthly. Fern Kimberly will shed fronds if soils dry out, at which point all brown fronds may be cut back to about 2” to regenerate. Try to avoid cutting green and healthy fronds and stick to just the weaker ones. Sanitize your gardening shears beforehand and be mindful not to remove more than 20 percent of the fronds.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Nephrolepis obliterate, is a lush evergreen plant characterized by its large, gracefully arching, sword-shaped fronds. Overall, the plant has an upright, bushy growth habit. These Kimberly ferns can be successfully grown outdoors in warm regions, as container plants that are overwintered indoors or as completely indoor houseplants. They have a fairly quick growth rate and are best planted in the spring in well-draining soil.  It is an easy and popular fern to grow indoors. Generally sword-shaped fronds have shallow toothed to entire pinnae. Fronds initially grow upward but arch gracefully with age. Commonly called Boston or sword fern, which many years ago earned the reputation of being a classic parlor fern. It is one of the easiest of the ferns to grow indoors. Fronds initially grow upward but arch gracefully and then droop with age. Its fronds are broader and droop more than those of the species.

The Kimberley queen fern is an indigenous Australian species. Its common name comes from the Kimberley region of Australia and the earl of Kimberley, who was the secretary of state for the British colonies in the 1800s. The preferred common name is sword fern.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Scale, mealybugs, slugs and white fly may appear.

Garden Uses

As an indoor fern, Kimberly is perhaps best for pedestals or hanging baskets. Locations in or near bathrooms or kitchens may have better humidity. Where winter-hardy outdoors, it may be grown in groups or massed in shady areas, or it may be sited at the base of shrubs or around trees.