Giant Sword Fern, Boston Fern, Carrot Fern, and Christmas Fern are ferns safe for dogs, based on the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). Here I provided 14 stunning ferns that give a touch of greenery to your tropical décor and are safe for your loyal companion. Keep reading to find the best for your house and garden.
Ferns are best for Air purification plants; they will remove common indoor air pollutants from your house’s atmosphere. These tropical plants are important for humidity regulation by increasing humidity levels in your house. So, they are benefiting respiratory health and other plants.
Another thing that makes me interested in adding ferns to my house is their aesthetic appeal. I provided you with a comprehensive list of 14 ferns safe for dogs in various shapes, sizes, and textures for your visual enjoyment. Some of them are small indoor ferns and some are large ferns. I hope adding them to your house reduces stress and improves your mood.
Make Happy your Floppy-Eared Friend with These Ferns Safe for Dogs
1- Giant Sword Fern
Common name: Bold Sword Fern, Crisped Feather Fern, Dallas Fern, Verona Fern, Verona Lace Fern, Tall Feather Fern, Sword Fern, Silver Table Fern, Roosevelt Fern, Whitman Fern
Scientific Names: Nephrolepis biserrata | Family: Dryopteridaceae
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.
- It is sensitive to cold temperatures, so it should not be grown outdoors in areas that experience frost.
- Giant: This fern can reach up to 8 meters (27 feet) in length, making it the largest sword fern.
- Double-toothed: Its name “biserrata” refers to the finely serrated edges of its leaves.
- Tropical: Native to warm regions, it prefers bright, indirect light and dislikes frost.
- Fast grower: Be prepared for its vigorous growth compared to other ferns.
2- Boston Fern
Scientific Names: Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis | Family: Dryopteridaceae
- This fern is one of the most popular indoor ferns
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil, although it is considered a low light hanging plant safe for cats and dogs
- It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.
- Popular houseplant: This classic fern thrives indoors with proper care.
- Compact: Compared to N. biserrata, it stays a manageable size.
- Adaptable: Tolerates a wider range of temperatures than some ferns.
- Origin: A natural variant discovered in a fern shipment to Boston in 1894.
3- Carrot Fern
Common name: Japanese Parsley Fern
Scientific Names: Onychium japonica | Family: Polypodiaceae
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.
- It is hardy to USDA zone 7.
- Delicate appearance: Feathery fronds resemble parsley, hence the name.
- Moderate hardiness: Can survive outdoors in zones 7 and above (USDA classification).
- Moist lover: Prefers consistently damp soil and shady locations.
- Spreading habit: Can form a nice groundcover in suitable conditions.
4- Christmas Fern
Common name: Christmas Dagger Fern
Scientific Names: Polystichum acrostichoides | Family: Dryopteridaceae
- This fern is native to North America.
- It prefers shady locations and moist soil.
- It is hardy to USDA zone 4.
- Evergreen: Maintains its green foliage year-round in frost-free climates.
- Cold tolerant: Thrives in shade and moist soil, hardy down to zone 4 (USDA).
- Christmas cheer: Some fronds develop fertile spore-bearing structures that resemble ornaments during winter.
- Clumping growth: Forms a dense clump, ideal for shady borders.
5- Button Fern
Common name: Cliff Brake, Green Cliff Brack, Cliff Break
Scientific Names: Pellaea rotundifolia | Family: Pteridaceae
- This fern is native to North America.
- It prefers shady locations and moist soil.
- It is hardy to USDA zone 5.
- Circular appeal: Round leathery fronds resemble buttons, giving it its name.
- Shade dweller: Prefers shaded areas with consistently moist soil.
- Hardy: Can survive outdoors in zones 5 and above (USDA).
- Compact: Maintains a smaller size compared to some ferns.
6- Elkhorn Fern
Common name: Common Staghorn Fern
Scientific Names: Platycerium bifurcatum | Family: Polypodiaceae
- This fern is native to Australia.
- It is an epiphyte, which means that it grows on other plants.
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.
- It is sensitive to cold temperatures, so it should not be grown outdoors in areas that experience frost.
- Epiphytic: Grows on other plants in the wild, attaching itself with specialized roots.
- Unique form: Two types of fronds: shield-like sterile fronds and fertile, upright ones.
- Warmth seeker: Not frost tolerant, needs bright, indirect light and moist conditions.
- Mounting options: Can be grown on boards or in baskets that mimic its natural habitat.
7– Lemon Button Fern
Common name: Duffii Fern, Duffy Fern, Duff’s Lace Fern
Scientific Names: Nephrolepsis cordifolia ‘duffii’ | Family: Nephrolepidaceae
- This fern is a hybrid of Nephrolepis cordifolia and Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’.
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.
- It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.
- Delicate beauty: Feathery fronds are finer and more lace-like than the Boston Fern.
- Air purifier: Studies suggest it can help remove indoor air pollutants.
- Humidity booster: Increases humidity levels in its immediate surroundings.
- Moderate growth: Falls between the larger N. biserrata and the more compact Boston Fern in size.
8- Dwarf Whitman Fern
Common name: Tassel Fern
Scientific Names: Nephrolepsis cordifolia “plumosa” | Family: Nephrolepidaceae
- This fern is a hybrid of Nephrolepis cordifolia and Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’.
- It prefers bright, indirect light and moist soil.
- It is tolerant of a wide range of temperatures.
- Plush appearance: Soft, feathery fronds with a plume-like quality.
- Low-light tolerance: Can survive in lower light conditions than some ferns.
- Air quality improvement: Like other ferns, it helps remove toxins from indoor air.
- Manageable size: Stays relatively compact, making it suitable for smaller spaces.
9- Wester Sword Fern
Common name: Giant Holly Fern, Sword fern, Imbricate sword fern, Leatherleaf Fern
Scientific Names: Ploystichum munitum | Family: Polypodaceae
- This fern is native to the Pacific Northwest.
- Textured appeal: Leathery, dark green fronds provide year-round interest.
- Erosion control: Dense growth habit helps prevent soil erosion on slopes.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established.
- Slug resistance: Leathery fronds are less palatable to slugs than some other ferns.
10- Mother Spleenwort
Common name: Hen and Chickens Fern, King and queen fern, Spleenwort, Parsley fern
Scientific Names: Asplenium bulbiferum | Family: Polypodaceae
- Unique reproduction: Produces plantlets on the tips of mature fronds.
- Easy propagation: New ferns can be easily grown from the plantlets.
- Air purification: Helps improve indoor air quality by removing toxins.
- Adaptable: Can tolerate a wider range of light conditions than some ferns.
11- Japanese Holly fern
Common name: Fern Holly, Fish Tail, Aspidium falcatum
Scientific name: Cyrtomium falcatum | Family: Polypodiaceae
- Evergreen appeal: Maintains its glossy, holly-like fronds throughout the year.
- Architectural interest: Upright, clumping growth habit adds structure to gardens.
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care and is relatively pest and disease resistant.
- Shade tolerance: Thrives in shady locations, perfect for underplanting trees.
12- Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Common name: Ball Fern, Squirrel Foot Fern, Deer Foot Fern, Hare Fern
Scientific Names: Davallia spp. | Family: Polypodiaceae
- Rhizome appeal: Creeping rhizomes with hairy brown scales resemble rabbit feet, hence the name.
- Epiphytic or terrestrial: Can grow on other plants (epiphytic) or in soil (terrestrial).
- Moderate light: Prefers indirect light and consistently moist soil.
- Unique charm: Adds a touch of the exotic with its textured rhizomes and divided fronds.
13- Dainty Rabbits-Foot Fern
Common name: Lacy Paw, Lacy Hare’s Foot
Scientific Names: Davallia fejeensis | Family: Davalliaceae
- Showy cousin: Larger and showier than other Davallia species with more prominent “rabbit feet.”
- Tropical native: Hailing from Fiji, it thrives in warm, humid environments.
- Basket planting: Often grown in hanging baskets to showcase its cascading rhizomes.
- Conversation starter: Its unique appearance is sure to attract attention and spark conversation.
14- Staghorn Fern
Scientific Names: Platycerium alcicorne | Family: Polypodaceae
- Majestic form: Large, leathery fronds resemble the antlers of a stag, hence the name.
- Epiphytic specialist: An obligate epiphyte, meaning it requires another plant for support in the wild.
- Mounting options: Grown on boards or in baskets with a well-draining potting mix.
- Statement piece: Adds a dramatic and sculptural element to indoor spaces.
Conclusion
Did you find the best ferns safe for doges in your tropical indoor décor? I provided you with 14 of them including Staghorn Fern, Dainty Rabbits-Foot Fern, Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Japanese Holly fern, Mother Spleenwort, Wester Sword Fern, Dwarf Whitman Fern, Lemon Button Fern, Giant Sword Fern, Boston Fern, Carrot Fern, Christmas Fern, Button Fern, and Elkhorn Fern.
Most of them are also ferns safe for cats such as Boston Fern. Please tell us about your ideas and experience in building a safe garden for pets below this page. you can also ask me your questions; I will answer as soon as possible.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.