Hi all, does anyone grow Macho Fern in their yard? I have some in pots but I don't want to plant something outside that I won't be able to control. It *seems* better behaved than the smaller Boston fern, but hoping someone here has had some experience with it. Thank you!

From the plant database,
Giant Sword Fern (Nephrolepis biserrata 'Macho')

Oh, sorry it took so long for somebody to respond, Ibis! I don't have one here, but had a beauty in my yard at our last house. They certainly don't spread themselves around like the invasive Boston Ferns do, but they grow into a really huge plant if you plant them somewhere they are happy.

I mean HUGE. See the picture in your database link? (click on the link, then on the picture) See that blue thing holding the leaves of the fern up? It's a furniture moving dolly, probably almost 5ft. tall.

So, you'll be fine if you want a really large feature plant in a shady, moist spot.

I put one in the ground some years ago in the back corner of my yard, Ibis, and it HAS taken over that corner. Not as quickly as some of the other ferns, but it has spread. I also have one in a big pot in my front yard and recently saw that it too has spread into the ground and around the pot. It's not fast enough to get away from you, but I wouldn't ignore it for 3 years either! Hope that helps!

Thanks Patty! As long as I can keep it under control, I may try it. I think it's a beautiful fern, and has so much more character than Boston ferns

Yeah, Boston Ferns are not a good choice for outdoors in FL. Pretty sure they're on the Invasives list.

IbisFla said:Hi all, does anyone grow Macho Fern in their yard? I have some in pots but I don't want to plant something outside that I won't be able to control. It *seems* better behaved than the smaller Boston fern, but hoping someone here has had some experience with it. Thank you!

From the plant database,
Giant Sword Fern (Nephrolepis biserrata 'Macho')

I live in Kansas City,Mo. I brought two macho ferns at the beginning of the summer. I put them in big apple baskets .They have grown three times their size.My problem is that I'm in zone six. I have no room to store them. But I know they won't make it through the winter out side. But I was wondering ,if I put them in the garage? Will they make it through the winter?

Hi Vicky, and WELCOME to NGA!

I'm sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but I didn't want you to feel ignored!

I would say...try it! What have you got to lose if that is your only option anyway? Do you keep an extra refrigerator or freezer in your garage (sometimes they can put off a bit of heat) that you could put them near? Or try putting them closer to a wall that abuts the house itself instead of an exterior wall. Or you could try wrapping a blanket or towel around the pot itself to help retain heat and protect it a little.

Good Luck!

On one online site I read that Macho ferns can tolerate extremely cold temperatures, down to 50 below! If that's the case, can mine stay in the ground all winter here in zone 6?

They are tropical , and a Florida native

( https://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/pl... )

I have found they grow quite well here in Sarasota in full sun with ample water


Temperature
Macho ferns are tropical plants and prefer warmer temperatures. They are also tolerant to relatively low temperatures when compared to other houseplants. The ideal growing temperatures are 50-80°F (10-26°C). It is well-suited to USDA Hardiness zones 9-10.

Macho ferns are naturally found on tropical forest floors, a highly protected environment with temperatures between a highly regulated range.

They like temperatures on the warmer side but will suffer if the mercury rises too high or dips too low.

Macho ferns cannot tolerate temperatures below the freezing point, neither will they like temperatures above 95°F (35°C).

If you live in cooler climates, you will have to overwinter your Macho fern indoors or in a protected greenhouse environment.

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this info below in not accurate,,i think that you may have read this

** https://www.hobbyplants.com/ma...