Supplied in a standard nursery pot. Pot up to a larger planter using humus-rich potting compost. Or stand the pot as it is in an attractive planter. A saucer is fine too. Water may be allowed to stay in the saucer as it evaporates or is absorbed. Water again only when saucer is empty.

Choose a warm place for your sword fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata) bright but with no direct sunlight on the plant and preferably not below 15 degrees Celsius. The plant will require less water in cooler surroundings.

The fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata) is a plant native to tropical forests and really does not like direct sunlight! The sword fern likes to be kept humid so we recommend spraying the leaves regularly with rainwater. If the air is too dry, the edges of the leaves will dry and curl. This plant does not like to strong a fertiliser, so we recommend halving the dosage suggested on dry or liquid fertiliser packets for green plant houseplants.

Water less in the winter keeping the plant slightly drier. Wait until spring to resume watering and feeding.

Nephrolepis exaltata is a tropical variety, native to tropical Asia and the Amazon forests where it even grows on tree branches and rocks in humid conditions (epiphytic).

Nephrolepsis now have their own family - Nephrolepidaceae.