Easy Fern Safe for pets

Tuber Sword Fern

Nephrolepis cordifolia

A robust fern known for its upright fronds and underground tubers, making it somewhat drought-tolerant for a fern.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 4 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–27 °C

How to care for your Tuber Sword Fern

Everything you need to keep your Tuber Sword Fern healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

The Tuber Sword Fern is adaptable and somewhat drought-tolerant due to its small underground tubers. It features stiff, erect fronds, often grown as a hanging basket plant or groundcover in tropical gardens. It thrives in humid conditions with bright, indirect light, and prefers consistently moist soil, but can tolerate short periods of dryness. Regular trimming of older fronds encourages new, healthy growth, maintaining its lush appearance.

Watering your Tuber Sword Fern

Every 4 days

Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. Ensure drainage.

How to know it needs water

Soil surface dry to touch
Pot feels lighter than usual

How much light a Tuber Sword Fern needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light to partial shade. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch fronds.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

High (60-80%). Prefers consistently moist air to prevent frond crisping. Mist daily, especially in dry environments, or use a humidity tray/humidifier.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize monthly during spring and summer; reduce or cease in fall and winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength. · 2-1-2

Repotting your Tuber Sword Fern

Every 18 months

Repot into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Handle roots gently.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Plant becoming top-heavy
Stunted growth

Pruning your Tuber Sword Fern

As needed, year-round. Remove any yellow, brown, or damaged fronds at the base with clean, sharp shears.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 5 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 3 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Produces small, round tubers along its rhizomes, which store water and nutrients.
Can be invasive in some tropical regions outside its native range.

Frequently asked questions about the Tuber Sword Fern

How do you care for a Tuber Sword Fern?

Water it every 4 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–27 °C. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. Ensure drainage.

How often should you water a Tuber Sword Fern?

Every 4 days Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry. Ensure drainage. How to know it needs water : Soil surface dry to touch ; Pot feels lighter than usual.

How much light does a Tuber Sword Fern need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light to partial shade. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch fronds. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Tuber Sword Fern toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Tuber Sword Fern is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Tuber Sword Fern leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Tuber Sword Fern?

Repot every 18 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. Handle roots gently.