outdoor ferns nz

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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Create a lush, layered garden with outdoor ferns NZ gardeners love for both their beauty and resilience. Whether you’re transforming a shady corner or adding texture along pathways, New Zealand offers an incredible range of outdoor ferns suitable for every style and skill level. From native species to hardy exotics, these ferns thrive in our unique climate and can bring year-round greenery to urban and rural gardens alike.

Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

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Asplenium bulbiferum, commonly known as the Hen and Chicken Fern or Pikopiko Fern, is a popular NZ native prized for its lush, arching fronds and ability to produce baby ferns (plantlets) along the leaf edges. Ideal for shaded gardens, underplanting, or pots, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil with protection from direct sun and wind. This fern adds a soft, tropical feel to any space and is low-maintenance, making it a favourite for both indoor and outdoor use.

Buy Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

From $26.15

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Ferns

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 30 cm

Tolerances: Shade

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Specimen

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Tropical

Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

The Blue Star Fern features wavy leaves that are a blue-green colour. This popular indoor plant grows as a clump to about 30 cm tall and the same wide. It grows best when positioned in partial shade on a well-drained soil in a sheltered spot. It will not tolerate wet growing conditions or frost. This Fern makes for a fantastic potted plant but can also be grown outdoors in warmer climates. In such environments it is often planted around pool and other outdoor living areas. This is an easy plant to grow and very forgiving.

Buy Phlebodium aureum Blue Star (Blue Star Fern)

From $38.57

Suited to regions: Subtropical

Plant type: Indoor Plants

Height: 30 cm

Spread: 30 cm

Tolerances: Shade

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Tropical

Asplenium bulbiferum (Hen And Chicken Fern)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Achillea, Asplenium, Bambusa, Libertia, Metrosideros, Phlebodium Podocarpus and Sorbus, or related Categories - Ground Fern, Flaxes, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

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Why Grow Outdoor Ferns in NZ?

Outdoor ferns NZ wide are a smart choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants with big impact. Many outdoor ferns are shade lovers, perfect for those tricky, damp spaces where most plants struggle. They add texture and movement beneath trees, create living groundcovers, and soften garden edges, while their intricate fronds brighten even the darkest spots. As natural forest dwellers, ferns also enrich garden biodiversity, providing habitat for native insects and birds.

Top Outdoor Ferns for New Zealand Gardens

Explore some of our most popular outdoor fern varieties, each with its own unique charm:

Davallia mariesii (Squirrels Foot Fern): This striking fern features soft, finely divided fronds and unusual fuzzy rhizomes that creep along the soil’s surface, creating a beautiful groundcover effect beneath trees or along shaded borders.
Doodia aspera (Prickly Rasp Fern): With its bold, textured fronds tinged in coppery tones when young, this NZ native thrives in partial or deep shade. It’s tolerant of dry periods once established, making it ideal for low-fuss gardens.
Adiantum cunninghamii (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern): Renowned for its delicate fan-shaped leaflets and arching stems, this elegant native belongs in every fern lover’s collection. It prefers consistently moist soil and thrives in sheltered, shady spaces.
Asplenium obtusatum (Spleenwort Fern): This hardy coastal fern handles salty breezes and dry soils, making it a stellar choice for coastal gardens or tough urban spots.
Blechnum 'Silver Lady' (Dwarf Tree Fern): If you’re seeking a palm-like accent for a small garden, this dwarf tree fern is both graceful and robust, thriving in sheltered spaces with good moisture.

Tips for Growing Outdoor Ferns NZ Wide

When planting outdoor ferns NZ gardeners should keep these expert tips in mind:

Most outdoor ferns favour dappled shade and humus-rich, consistently moist soil.
Avoid harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch fronds.
Applying a mulch of leaf litter helps maintain even moisture and adds valuable organic matter, echoing the conditions of their natural forest floor habitat.
Water new ferns regularly until they’re well established, then gradually reduce as plants mature.
Allow plenty of space between ferns for natural spreading and airflow.

Enhance Your Garden with Outdoor Ferns NZ

From subtle groundcovers to statement architectural forms, outdoor ferns NZ wide offer endless options for creative gardeners. Browse our collection today and discover beautiful choices like the Davallia mariesii (Squirrels Foot Fern), Doodia aspera (Prickly Rasp Fern), Adiantum cunninghamii (New Zealand Maidenhair Fern), Asplenium obtusatum (Spleenwort Fern), and Blechnum 'Silver Lady' (Dwarf Tree Fern) for your next garden project. With the right outdoor ferns, every Kiwi garden can be a thriving green haven.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.