Kimberly Queen Fern

Nephrolepsis obliterata

Australian Sword Ferns

There is something elegant about a fern and now, with the cultivation of the Kimberly Queen fern or the Australian Sword fern as it is sometimes called, we can all have one. Unlike the Boston, Dallas, or Fluffy Ruffle ferns, the Kimberly Queen is more compact, tidier, and easier to care for. Its long, almost erect sword-shaped fronds never leave a mess. This extremely adaptable fern looks beautiful when hanging on your porch in the summer or in your dining room during the winter.

Light

A Kimberly queen fern does well in medium light. Like a Boston fern, hanging one in front of a window with a northern exposure provides it with enough light to grow well, but not so much that the leaves lose their vibrant green color.

Water

Allow the top 25%-35% of the soil to dry-out before watering. The long fronds (leaves) may even turn a pale green when the fern needs water. Crispy brown fronds, especially in the center of the fern, mean the plant is over-watered. Avoid watering with "hard water," or water that has a lot of salt, fluorine, or chlorine in it.

Fertilizer

Feed monthly with a balanced liquid plant food when a Kimberly Queen fern is actively growing. Dilute the plant food 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended strength to prevent the ends of the fronds from burning and turning brown.

Temperature

60°F-70F° (15.5°C-21.1°C) Keep away from fireplaces, heaters, and air conditioners.

Humidity

Ferns prefer high humidity which is rarely available in our homes or offices. If your fern leaf tips turn brown because of low humidity, try setting the plant on a wet pebble tray. Be sure the fern is sitting on the pebbles and not in the water. You can also place a small humidifier in the room.

Pests

AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com., Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants., and spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them.. Pesticides damage fern ferns, use a mild solution of soapy water to prevent and treat pest infestations.

Diseases

These ferns are fairly disease resistant.

Soil

Use is a good, indoor potting soil with a little extra peat moss added to help it drain quickly.

Pot Size

Repot to the next size pot when the roots have filled the existing pot. Ferns do well when root-bound so do not rush to repot. Do not fertilize a fern for several weeks after re-potting.

Pruning

Cut dead Leaves (fronds) off as soon as they appear. Dead leaves on any houseplant should immediately be removed since they drain energy from the plant.

Propagation

plant divisionLearn how to propagate plants by plant division at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary: Carefully pull the root ball in half or in quarters. Plant the sections in small pots to prevent over-watering.

Clean Air Plant

Removes formaldehyde from the air.

Poisonous Plant Info

Non- poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. plant

The tips of the fronds on my Kimberly Queen Fern are turning brown and dying before growing to their full length.

The fronds of a Kimberly Queen Fern need plenty of space to spread out. If they touch a window or table they will turn brown and stop growing. Excessive fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small. and low humidity can also burn the tips.

Can I hang my fern in front of a southern window?

A Kimberly Queen is one of the few ferns that can live in the direct sun. However, it will be happier and easier to care for if placed in medium indirect light.

I have Boston fern that is always dropping leaves and making a mess. Will a Kimberly queen fern be better?

Although a Kimberly queen fern does not have the long draping fronds of a Boston fern, it is quite superior in every other way. It is easy to grow and hard to kill unless you over- water. The large to almost upright fronds rarely drop leaves.

My Kimberly Queen is gettin huge. Can I cut it in half and plant part of it outside?

A Kimberly Queen does very well outside whether in a pot or planted in your garden if the temperature is fairly moderate. It will stop growing if the temperature drops below 55°F (12.8°C) and totally die if the temperature drops below freezing.