Gardening Ideas Gardening & Landscaping Ideas Container Gardening 20 Best Ferns To Use In Hanging Baskets On Your Porch We'll tell you which ones are right for you, from the front porch to the back door. By Rebecca Bull Reed Rebecca Bull Reed Rebecca Koraytem (formerly Rebecca Bull Reed) is a horticulturist with over 32 years of experience in garden education, design, and the green industry. She has written for Southern Living and Coastal Living magazines, is passionate about teaching new gardeners about English Roses and is a frequent guest on podcasts like The Redneck Rosarian and Epic Gardening where she talks about David Austin Roses. She also has her own YouTube channel Rebecca on Roses. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 26, 2024 Close Photo: Getty Images Add some curb appeal to your home, or add some greenery indoors by hanging a basket filled with beautiful ferns. These popular plants are a common sight on Southern porches and are relatively easy to care for. Ferns thrive in the shade, love moist soil, and add flashy foliage to any container. Depending on the variety, ferns will trail or arch. This bit of greenery is a rewarding way to brighten any space. Read on to discover the 20 best ferns for hanging baskets or containers on your porch or patio. Fern Care More ferns die from overwatering than underwatering—water only when soil is dry to the touch. If leaves turn yellow and the soil is wet 1 to 2 inches beneath the surface, you are watering too much. Ferns love humidity and appreciate an occasional misting. Don't do so in direct sun, which could burn the fronds. Never fertilize a fern―or any plant―that is too dry. It can burn the roots. These ferns bite the dust when exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures. Cut back the side fronds next to the pot's rim to overwinter them, and trim the top fronds to 10 inches. Bring the plant indoors, where it will receive bright light from a window. Water regularly, and by spring, you can take it back outside. Some ferns have more challenging care requirements than others, so find a species that will thrive in your environment. Remember that hanging baskets dry out faster than other containers, so check them often by sticking your finger in the soil. 01 of 20 Boston Fern Supersmario / Getty Images Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltataSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Moist, Well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5) The 'Boston' fern is sensitive to humidity and light. This fern is known as the 'Sword Fern' because the blue-green foliage grows upright as it matures. This fern is slow-growing and can thrive year-round indoors. Give it bright, indirect light and moist, well-draining soil. This fern can tolerate drought more than others, but it does like humidity. Outdoors, make sure to give it some shade. The Ultimate Guide to Boston Ferns 02 of 20 Dallas Fern Getty Images Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltata 'Dallasii'Sun Exposure: Shade, PartialSoil Type: Moist, Well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5) 'Dallas' fern is an excellent choice for beginners, especially those who occasionally forget to give their thirsty houseplants a drink. This neat and compact plant sports short fronds that have a ruffled appearance. Perfect for side tables, windowsills, or small baskets, this is the one to choose when space is tight. Bright, indirect light is best, but it can tolerate light from an unobstructed north- or east-facing window indoors. Keep it consistently moist. 03 of 20 Tiger Fern Heather Waraksa Botanical Name: Nephrolepis exaltataSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Moist, Well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5) You will want to place the 'Tiger' fern in a prominent area to admire the beautiful foliage. This plant's bright green leaflets, striped with gold, work very well alone or as companion plants in baskets and containers. Place it in bright, indirect light, or partial shade and well-drained soil. Feed once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. 04 of 20 Macho Fern Robbie Caponetto; Produced by Mark Thompson Botanical Name: Nephrolepis biserrataSun Exposure: Partial, ShadeSoil Type: Moist, Well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5) One leaflet on a frond of 'Macho' fern can be the length of a ballpoint pen. This behemoth can grow 4 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide in the right conditions. Display it outside because the interior light usually is not bright enough. Try this fern in large containers and oversized hanging baskets for a dramatic show. When new fronds appear, feed with a one-fourth to one-half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. It loves heat and humidity and can tolerate the sun if it's not too hot. 05 of 20 Kimberley Queen Fern Joseph De Sciose Botanical Name: Nephrolepis obliterataSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Moist, Well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (5.0-5.5) An upward-arching form makes 'Kimberley Queen' a natural choice for displaying near doors or entries. This lush fern has a bushy growth habit, and it can grow to 3 feet tall. Place it in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. Feed once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20. 06 of 20 Cinnamon Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: Osmundastrum cinnamomeumSun Exposure: Partial, ShadeSoil Type: Moist, Well-drained, RichSoil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.0-7.0) These lacy fronds grow near streams or bogs. Dark-colored spikes contrast with deeply cut, lacy bright green leaves. The two contrasting colors easily identify it. Cinnamon ferns typically grow in the wild, but containers with rich compost soil can also work. They thrive in deep shade where they receive some dappled sunlight, but they can tolerate more sun in wet soil. 07 of 20 Southern Shield Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: Dryopteris ludovicianaSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Moist, well-drained, richSoil pH: Acidic to neutral to alkaline (6.1-7.8) These dark green fronds are glossy when mature and can reach up to two feet long. After establishing, this fern can tolerate droughts or dry soil. This fern is semi-evergreen in colder climates and grows along swamp banks or as ground cover on garden borders and edges. 08 of 20 Japanese Holly Fern Artur Bogacki / Getty Botanical Name: Cyrtomium falcatumSun Exposure: Partial, ShadeSoil Type: Moist, well-drained, richSoil pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0) This fern is not cold-hardy and has beautiful sawtooth foliage in glossy, deep green. The leathery appearance of this evergreen foliage highlights its rich texture, which produces long fronds that look like holly branches. If the fern grows too big for its container, you can divide it and develop a new section in a different pot. Plant in rich, acidic soil with even moisture. They do not tolerate standing water. Keep them out of afternoon sun. 09 of 20 Wart Ferns JADEZMITH / Getty Botanical Name: Phymatosorus scolopendriaSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Moist, well-drained, sandySoil pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0) The 'Wart Fern' is also called the monarch fern, musk fern, or breadfruit fern. After being introduced during the early 1900s, it spread rapidly throughout Hawaii. Use this fern for ground cover, or easily grow it in a container since it doesn't grow too tall. Lobed leaves have a leathery texture with rows of bumps or “warts” that run along the midrib. They thrive in cool, moist areas, so keep them out of the afternoon sun. 10 of 20 Ostrich Ferns Katrin Ten Eikelder / EyeEm / Getty Images Botanical Name: Matteuccia struthiopterisSun Exposure: Partial, fullSoil Type: Moist, well-drained, sandySoil pH: Slightly acidic (5.5-6.5) Ostrich ferns can spread rapidly in the right growing conditions because the roots expand. They add color to a shady garden where they thrive. Give them rich, moist soil. The foliage, growing in a vase shape, looks like a fiddle or violin, giving it one of its common names, the fiddlehead ferns. This quick-growing fern has a short season, usually beginning after the final frost in spring. 11 of 20 Autumn Ferns Steve Bender Botanical Name: Dryopteris erythrosoraSun Exposure: ShadeSoil Type: Moist, well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5) Autumn ferns are suitable for small spaces because they spread slower than others. The fronds emerge as a bright copper or orange-red, giving a fall-inspired palette and attributing to its name. This fern is excellent for year-round color because it fades to a glossy, bright green after the season. In addition to growing in baskets or containers, use autumn fern as ground cover in shady gardens. Plant in a shady, moist area in loose, fertile soil. The Best All-Around Fern For Beginners 12 of 20 Fishbone Fern CHUNYIP WONG / Getty Botanical Name: Nephrolepis cordifoliaSun Exposure: Full, partialSoil Type: Moist, well-drainedSoil pH: Acidic (6.0-6.5) This evergreen plant is known as the wild Boston, Boston Blue Bell Fern, and tuber ladder fern. Be mindful that spores, carried by the wind or water, can spread and develop into new growth. Fronds grow upright and sag, making it a good choice for hanging baskets. Give the fern bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. 13 of 20 Staghorn Fern Kelli Boyd Photography Botanical Name: PlatyceriumSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Epiphytic (grows in trees)Soil pH: N/A Staghorn ferns are epiphytic, meaning they grow on other things for support, making it possible to grow in wall containers. This houseplant is more challenging to grow than other ferns because of how it grows, but the distinctive, flat leaves that resemble deer antlers can reach up to three feet in length. Keep temperatures warm because this fern is native to sub-tropical regions. They like humid conditions and bright, indirect light. 14 of 20 Foxtail Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: Asparagus densiflorusSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Well-drainingSoil pH: Acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) The 'Foxtail' fern gets its name because its leaves are feathery. This perennial evergreen produces red berries and small, white flowers. Reaching up to three feet tall and wide, 'Foxtail' ferns are considered invasive, so planting them with other species is not recommended. They are easy to care for, needing well-draining soil and filtered shade or morning sun. They’re drought-tolerant, so they’ll be fine if you forget to water them. They do well as indoor plants. 15 of 20 Maidenhair Fern Naphatson Jansena / EyeEm / Getty Botanical Name: Adiantum raddianumSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Well-draining, moistSoil pH: Neutral to alkaline (7.0-8.0) 'Maidenhair' ferns are popular houseplants because of their stunning, fan-shaped leaves and slow growth rate. In nature, these ferns grow in between rocks in warm and steamy conditions and are incredibly hardy. These ferns with lace-like fronds need consistent watering and can quickly burn in too much direct sun. These ferns look nice in hanging baskets because they grow outward before trailing down. Give them some shelter outdoors. 16 of 20 Tassel Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: Polystichum polyblepharumSun Exposure: PartialSoil Type: Well-drained, Chalky, Sandy, LoamySoil pH: Acidic to Neutral (4.0-7.0) These ferns spread outward in vase-shaped clumps up to two feet tall and wide. Native to Asia, the arching shape of this plant's foliage makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets. Golden hairs cover new fronds until the silver scales and dark green foliage appear stunningly on mature leaves. The tassel fern doesn’t tolerate full sun, so place it in an area with full or light shade. It’s not particular about soil pH, but make sure it has well-draining soil. It will not tolerate standing water. 17 of 20 Japanese Painted Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: Athyrium niponicumSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Well-drained, moist, clay, loamy, sandySoil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.0) The 'Japanese Painted' fern has variegated fronds ranging from silver, gray, green, and purple. This fern is suitable for containers because it is slow-growing, about one foot every year. Shield the fronds from too much afternoon sun to protect healthy leaves and colorful displays. 18 of 20 Royal Fern Hector Manuel Sanchez Botanical Name: OsmundaceaeSun Exposure: Partial, FullSoil Type: Well-drained, moist, rich, claySoil pH: Acidic (4.0-6.0) Often found in wetlands and marshes, this tall fern grows in a crowd of rust-colored clusters. This deciduous fern has pale green foliage that turns various colors in the fall, including yellow, gold, brown, and russet. If growing in an outdoor hanging basket, this fern species is also deer- and rabbit-tolerant. Don’t let the soil dry out. Royal ferns need consistently moist soil, especially if grown in full sun. 19 of 20 Champions Wood Fern Steve Bender Botanical Name: Dryopteris championiiSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Well-drained, moistSoil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5) This evergreen fern needs sheltering from strong winds, so move it indoors during storms or harsh weather conditions. Typically found in woodland areas, this fern is non-flowering but makes up for this by having deep green, arching fronds. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide. 20 of 20 Bird's Nest Fern Nacivet/Getty Images Botanical Name: Asplenium nidusSun Exposure: Partial, shadeSoil Type: Moist, well-draining, loamySoil pH: Acidic This fern gets its name because the center of the plant resembles a bird's nest. Long, lance-shaped, bright green fronds with rippled edges grow from the center rosette. These epiphytic plants grow on other plants in their native rainforest habitat. They like high humidity and bright, indirect light. Give them porous, well-draining soil such as a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark. They like consistently moist soil that is not soggy. Bring the fern indoors when the temperature dips below 50°F. An Indoor Fern We Can’t Help But Fall For Frequently Asked Questions Do all ferns come back every year? Ferns are hardy perennial plants. These perennials grow back yearly and do not require a lot (if any) of winter care. Should ferns be cut back for winter? After the growing season, you can cut back ferns once the foliage turns brown or wilts. This slight pruning helps keep the plant healthy and maintain a beautiful appearance. Remove fronds near the base. Can hanging ferns grow indoors? Ferns can live indoors with proper light, humidity, and water. Give them indirect light near a north- or east-facing window. Too much sun can scald the leaves. Use a sheer curtain to provide filtered light in sunnier areas. Water every few days, and fertilize regularly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit