35 Types Of Fern To Freshen Up Your Home Or Garden

There are around 10,000 species of fern from within the Polypodiopsida class with a great variation in size, spread, and shape. Many of them are cultivated for use in yards and as houseplants. Most are perennial, with some evergreen and others deciduous. Unlike most plants, they don’t propagate by seed. Instead, they reproduce via small dots on the underside of the fronds called spores. Low-maintenance if they get the conditions they need, keeping ferns alive can be tricky if you don’t get it right. While some can handle bright sun and dry soils, most thrive in shady areas where they get consistent moisture. That’s why they’re favorite plants for steamy, low-light bathrooms and woodland gardens. Here are 35 fantastic ferns worthy of your consideration.

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7Height: 4 to 6 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: 3 to 8 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 10Height: Up to 12 inchesSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9Height: Up to 4 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9Height: Up to 24 inchesSun Exposure: Full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 6Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8Height: Up to 18 inchesSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Americas, AfricasUSDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: South AfricaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area (Continent): AfricaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Europe, Asia, AfricaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 12Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 8 to 11Height: Up to 25 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Asia, Australia, AfricaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 11 to 12Height: Up to 5 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: OceaniaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: Asia, AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 12Height: 3 feet tallSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9Height: Up to 4 feetSun Exposure: Full sun and partial to full shade

Native Area: Southeast Asia and AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11Height: Up to 5 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Americas, AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 10Height: Up to 5 feetSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9Height: Up to 4 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 12 inchesSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: AustraliaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 1 footSun Exposure: Part shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: South AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 9 to 11Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 8Height: Up to 3 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Europe, North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8Height: Up to 4 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: North America, Europe, Africa, AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10Height: Up to 6 feetSun Exposure: Full sun to full shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10Height: Up to 4 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: Europe, North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9Height: Up to 2 feetSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11Height: Up to 8 inchesSun Exposure: Partial shade

Native Area: AsiaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 11Height: Up to 4 inchesSun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Native Area: North AmericaUSDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9Height: Up to 1 footSun Exposure: Partial to full shade

Check out these shade-loving flowers if you want more options for your shady yard.