Ferns began their evolution more than 300 million years ago. In fact, when dinosaurs appeared, they already encountered them, and even used them for food. Therefore, they are primitive plants, which also have a high ornamental value.
They look great in a corner of the garden, where they are protected from the sun, as well as in a pot inside the house; There are even species that can be grown in a terrarium. Do you want to know some of the most interesting types of small ferns?
Venus Hair (adiantum raddianum)
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
El adiantum raddianum It is a fern native to the warm regions of the northern hemisphere. Grows only up to 30 inches tall by 15 inches wide, and its fronds (leaves) are glossy dark green. Due to its characteristics, it is the preferred species to have in pots, both at home and outside, as long as the frosts are mild.
Dryopteris intermedia
Image - Wikimedia / Katja Schulz
El Dryopteris intermedia It is a species of fern native to North America and Europe. Its leaves (fronds) are of a beautiful green color, and are finely divided into pinnae. Reaches an approximate height of 30 centimeters, although in many occasions it stays in 20 centimeters or less.
If you want to grow it, you should know that it resists the cold. So if there are frosts in your area but they are weak (down to -7ºC), do not hesitate to have it in the garden or on the terrace.
African water fern (Bolbitis heudelotii)
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- Image - Wikimedia / Zaire
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- Image - Flickr / Luis E.
El Bolbitis heudelotii It is a plant native to tropical and subtropical Africa, where it lives submerged in fresh waters (rivers and streams). Its fronds (leaves) are pinnate, dark green, and they are between 15 and 40 centimeters long by 15 to 25 centimeters wide.
If you have a freshwater aquarium or pond, this is a very interesting fern. The only thing is that you must bear in mind that it is a plant that is very sensitive to cold, so that the water temperature must be between 20 and 28ºC. In addition, it should be slightly acidic, with a pH between 5 and 7.
Water fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides)
Image - Wikimedia / lienyuan lee
The water fern is a species native to the pantropical region, that is, it lives wild in the tropical forests of America, Asia and Africa. Grows up to 50 centimeters tall, and its fronds (leaves) are pale green.
It is a plant that is found in swamps, natural ponds and other places where fresh water is concentrated, so it can be grown both in an aquarium and in an artificial pond.
Java fern (Leptochilus pteropus)
Image - Wikimedia / Pinpin
El java fern It is a plant native to Malaysia, Thailand, India and some parts of China. There are many types: wide or narrow bladed, spear-shaped or trident. Of course, in any case, it is a very attractive green color. Its height is about 30-35 centimeters, and it can be had both in pots, as in ponds and aquariums.
As a curiosity, you should know that its previous scientific name was Microsorum pteropus, but after the last revision in January 2020, it was changed to the genus Leptochilus. You can find more information about it on this website.
Lygodium venustum
Image - Wikimedia / Alex Popovkin
El Lygodium venustum It is a climbing fern that lives in the forests found in Mexico, Bolivia, Trinidad and the Greater Antilles. Its fronds (leaves) are green and lanceolate. It reaches a height of 30 centimeters.
Would you like to have a copy? If so, you are sure to love taking care of it. It is very adaptable, and although it does not withstand drought, it does not need as much water as other fern species. In addition, it supports weak frosts.
Nephrolepis cordifolia
Image - Wikimedia / Forest & Kim Starr
El Nephrolepis cordifolia it is a species native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves (fronds) are between 25 and 90 centimeters long, and about 3-7 centimeters wide. These are green, with orange-reddish sporangia.
It is not highly recommended to have in a terrarium, but it will look great in a planter with other ferns, or in the garden.
Pteris cretica
Image - Wikimedia / Rexness
El Pteris cretica It is a fern native to America, where it grows especially in Mexico and Guatemala. Its fronds (leaves) they are between 15 and 80 centimeters long, and are pinnate, green, or dark green on the margins and much lighter in the center. These sprout from a short, creeping rhizome, which is why they can be grown in medium-sized pots.
Platycerium alcicorne
El Platycerium alcicorne It is a fern with a rhizome that is also short, only 1 centimeter in diameter. It grows as an epiphytic plant in the rainforests of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros Islands, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronds (leaves) are up to 60 centimeters long, and they grow in such a way that they form a rounded mass about 30 centimeters in diameter.
Due to its origin and evolution, it is an ideal plant for indoors, including heated greenhouses. Of course, keep it away from drafts and provide it with humidity.
Do you know other types of small ferns? What do you think of the ones we have shown you?