Ferns, type by type.
Ferns have a fussy reputation - and some earn it - but plenty are genuinely tough. Here are 21 profiles sorted by how forgiving they are, from the button fern that shrugs off dry air to the maidenhair that demands humidity. Two 'ferns' here aren't ferns at all (they're asparagus, and toxic) - and they're flagged as such.
Easy, forgiving ferns Tolerant of ordinary rooms and the odd missed watering - the ferns that forgive.
Humidity-loving ferns Lusher and prettier, but they want moist air - terrariums, bathrooms and humidifiers.
"Ferns" that aren't (and aren't pet-safe) Sold as ferns but actually asparagus relatives - and toxic to pets.
Most ferns share a shade-and-moisture philosophy with the plants in the collections. For a tougher, sculptural direction, the hoya catalog is another rabbit hole.
Fertilizer and potting mix for ferns
Clemson Extension fertilizes most indoor ferns lightly, once a month from April through September, with a liquid houseplant fertilizer at about half the recommended rate. Too much scorches the fronds; there is no feeding in winter, and none for six months after a fern is new or repotted.
Potting mix. Fern soil should be porous and drain quickly, with plenty of organic matter like the soils ferns grow in naturally. When it repots in early spring, Clemson uses equal parts packaged houseplant potting mix and peat moss or leaf mold. Never let water stand in the pot, and never let the mix dry out completely.
| Product | Type | What the maker states | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espoma Indoor! | Organic liquid plant food | For all houseplants; 2 teaspoons per quart of water every 2 to 4 weeks on the label, so for a fern mix it at half that and feed once a month | See on Amazon · Maker's page |
| Dr. Earth Pump & Grow House Plant Food | Organic liquid, 1-1-1 | Two pumps on the soil, watered in within 24 hours; the maker says one dose feeds for two weeks | See on Amazon · Maker's page |
| Espoma Organic Houseplant Mix | Potting mix | For foliage, tropical and flowering houseplants; peat moss, perlite and limestone with organic nutrients and mycorrhizae | See on Amazon · Maker's page |
| Espoma Organic Peat Moss | Sphagnum peat moss | 100% sphagnum peat moss with no additives, for blending a custom mix; 8 qt bags | See on Amazon · Maker's page |
How we put this together. The feeding and potting advice is Clemson Extension's fact sheet on indoor ferns, linked above; outdoor ferns in the ground are not covered here. The products are compared on what each maker states on its own product page, checked on 26 October 2026; we have not trialed them. Both liquid foods are labeled for more frequent feeding than Clemson gives ferns, so follow the lighter schedule. There are no prices here: the Amazon links search for the exact product, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them.
Gear for ferns
Links go to Amazon or a partner store (such as Adagio Teas) and may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We link gear types, not sponsors' picks: you choose the exact product.