Macho Ferns – Proper Care

Q: I bought some Macho patio ferns at a grocery store. It seems that they may be kin to Boston fern? How do I care for them?

A: ‘Macho’ fern, Nephrolepis biserrata is also called Giant Sword Fern. It is a Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, on steroids. The fronds can grow four to five feet tall. A clump might be six feet wide. Like Boston fern, ‘Macho’ fern likes partial shade and moist soil throughout the growing season. It won’t survive winter cold but you could bring part of a clump indoors and keep it in a large container for winter.