Overview

Fishtail fern is an evergreen tropical sword fern with long, arching fronds and divided tips. The nursery form is Nephrolepis falcata f. furcans. It is not native to Florida.

Mature Size and Habit

Expect a spreading clump about 1.5 to 3 feet tall and 1.5 to 2 feet wide. Fronds bend outward in layers, while short rhizomes and runners can widen the colony.

Best Landscape Uses

Use it beneath tree canopies, along shaded foundations, in protected courtyards, or in containers. Its fine foliage pairs well with broad-leaved tropical plants.

Sunlight

Provide bright filtered light, dappled shade, or gentle morning sun. Strong afternoon sun and reflected heat can scorch the frond edges.

Soil, Drainage, and Irrigation

Plant in organic soil that drains freely but stays lightly moist. Water during establishment and dry spells. Avoid saturated low spots, and keep mulch off the crown.

Best Planting Season for Tampa and Central Florida

Plant in spring or early summer after cold risk passes. Fall planting also works in a sheltered site with dependable irrigation and freeze protection.

Pruning and Maintenance

Cut brown fronds at the base, thin wandering runners, and divide crowded clumps in warm weather. Watch sheltered plants for scale, mealybugs, and spider mites.

Wildlife Value

This fern has no flowers, nectar, or fleshy fruit. Its fronds give modest cover to small insects and lizards, but direct wildlife value is limited.

Cold and Heat Sensitivity

Tampa heat and humidity suit it when moisture and shade are adequate. Frost burns fronds and hard freezes can damage the crown, so protect exposed plants.

Safety, Roots, and Placement Warnings

It has no thorns or aggressive woody roots. Monitor runners, keep arching fronds away from steps, and treat it as ornamental rather than edible. Prevent pets from chewing it.

Invasive Concerns

UF/IFAS reports that fishtail sword fern has escaped cultivation in Florida but is not considered invasive. Contain runners and never dump trimmings in natural areas.

Helpful Resources

Confirm Florida status with UF/IFAS Extension. Review culture at NParks and taxonomy through Kew Science.