Cyrtomium falcatum has had a popular following as a house plant since the Victorian era. George Schneider extols its virtues in his informative trilogy The Book of Choice Ferns thus: "they are indeed the best Ferns for use in the least favored places - in rooms and on staircases - where their leathery foliage of distinct and handsome appearance seems to defy the deadly influences of draughts and gas better than that of any other Ferns with which we are acquainted." And believe me the Victorians were acquainted with a vast array of incredible fern species. It is no wonder that gardeners were soon testing this species out of doors. The heavy lustrous pinnae approach the color and texture of Portugal laurel leaves. The basal portion of the sickle-shaped pinnae are lobed on the upper edge while slanting obliquely on the lower edge. The margins of the typical species are coarsely toothed which in this variety the toothed segments become etiolated into coarse fringe. This species of Cyrtomium is the easiest of the genus to grow being less fussy about constantly even moisture and actually delighting in summer warmth. For those of you in the southern portion of the U. S. this is a gorgeous ornamental species with a reliable track record. It is evergreen in zones 9-10 but deciduous with frost. This fern likes zones with summer heat and its waxy fronds will tolerate drier air than most ferns, making it a suitable indoor fern for house culture.

Frond Condition: Evergreen (Zones 9, 10) to Deciduous ( Zones 7, 8)

Mature Height: 20-30” (1 1/2’ - 2 1/2’)

Origin: India, China, Japan

Cultural Requirements: Partly Shaded, Full Shade, Evenly Moist to Lightly Moist

USDA Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10