Experienced grower's notes on Sword Fern

I've been growing plants seriously for over fifteen years and Sword Fern remains a reliable favourite. For anyone starting out: the most critical thing is removing dead fronds cleanly at the base in spring. Everything else follows from that.

frond browning and crisp tips in dry air is the challenge that trips up most beginners and some experienced growers too. I've been growing mine in a humid conservatory in a decorative pot for three seasons now and the results are consistently good. prehistoric elegance with delicate layered fronds is what makes it worth coming back to year after year. full lush canopy through summer is when I show it off — it earns its place fully then.