The 12 best Australian native ferns for a home garden
In a home garden, ferns have a reputation for being delicate or demanding. In reality, most failures come down to one issue: planting them in the wrong place.
They are not universally easy, but they are not impossible either. When soil is prepared properly and moisture is consistent, native ferns are steady, long-lived and deeply rewarding. They bring structure, protect soil and create shelter for insects, frogs and small reptiles.
Here are 12 great options for the home garden, with tips on how and where to plant them for the best chance of success.
1. Australian Tree Fern (Cyathea cooperi)
Difficulty: Moderate
The Australian tree fern suits warm temperate and subtropical gardens in Queensland and northern New South Wales. It needs filtered light, shelter from drying wind and consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
When planting, dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball with a spade. Incorporate leaf-based, biologically active compost through the backfill soil with a wide pronged fork. Position the trunk upright and firm the soil with your feet gently. Water deeply at soil level with a hose, then soak the trunk and crown as well. Because the trunk is a dense column of fibrous roots rather than wood, it absorbs moisture along its entire surface. During dry spells, overhead soaking is just as important as root watering.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mulch thickly with leaf litter, keeping it clear of the trunk base. Remove old fronds cleanly with sharp pruners, cutting close without tearing fibres.
2. Soft Tree Fern (Dicksonia antarctica)
Difficulty: Moderate to easy in cool climates
Native to Victoria and Tasmania, this is one of the most reliable tree ferns for temperate gardens. It prefers cool shade, protection from harsh afternoon sun and soil that remains evenly moist through summer. Prepare the site by loosening soil deeply with a garden fork and incorporating leaf-based compost (not manure) and coarse organic matter.
The fibrous trunk is actually a dense column of old roots. It is designed to absorb moisture along its surface, but it is not designed to sit buried in soil. If you plant it too deep, the lower trunk can stay constantly wet and begin to rot. If you plant it too shallow, the root mass can dry out and the plant may become unstable. After planting, water thoroughly and continue soaking the trunk weekly with a watering can during dry periods. In hot spells, misting the crown reduces stress.
Jungle Rebel from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Its slow growth is an advantage. With steady care, it forms a long-lived living column that supports mosses and small invertebrates. Feed annually with compost rather than synthetic fertiliser and refresh mulch each autumn.
Tools for Australian Gardeners
3. Rough Tree Fern (Doodia aspera)
Difficulty: Easy
Rough tree fern grows from a compact central crown at soil level. The new fronds unfurl tightly from this centre. Compact and adaptable, this eastern Australian fern tolerates more light than most rainforest species, provided soil moisture is steady. Add well-composted organic matter to the ground before planting.
Use a hand trowel to create a wide shallow hole, ensuring the crown sits just above soil level. Water in well and maintain even moisture during establishment. Once settled, it copes with short dry periods better than many ferns.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Its copper-toned new fronds contain pigments that protect tender growth from light stress. Remove older fronds at the base with sharp snips once they yellow and top-dress with compost in spring to support fresh growth.
4. Fishbone Water Fern (Blechnum nudum)
Difficulty: Easy in damp areas
This is an excellent choice for pond edges, swales and low-lying areas along the east coast. It tolerates periodic wet feet but must not sit in stagnant water indefinitely. Its adaptation to fluctuating creek levels makes it resilient to both short flooding and moderate dry spells.
Before planting, loosen soil thoroughly and incorporate compost to improve structure. Set the crown slightly proud of the soil surface to prevent rot. Water consistently during the first season and maintain a mulch layer to moderate soil temperature.
David Matthews, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This species forms clumping rhizomes at soil level and mature plants naturally expand outward over time. When the centre of a clump becomes crowded or woody, division with a sharp gardening knife rejuvenates growth and improves airflow.
5. Common Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum)
Difficulty: Moderate
Maidenhair prefers humus-rich soil, protection from hot afternoon sun and steady moisture. It struggles in dry, compacted ground. In the wild, Maidenhair maintains the humid microclimate at ground level that many insects, fungi and amphibians depend on.
Before planting, dig through compost and leaf mould to create a friable, moisture-retentive bed. Water gently with a fine rose to avoid disturbing shallow roots. Allowing it to dry out completely will cause fronds to collapse, though it can recover if roots remain viable.
Its wiry black stems flex in heavy rain rather than snapping. Trim spent fronds at the base with small snips to encourage new flushes and top-dress annually with compost rather than strong fertilisers.
6. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium australasicum)
Difficulty: Easy in humidity, moderate elsewhere
Best in subtropical and tropical climates, this fern needs warmth, airflow and excellent drainage. Plant into free-draining soil enriched with compost but avoid burying the central crown. Every new frond emerges tightly furled from that point. If the crown is damaged, buried or rots, the entire plant can fail because there is no secondary growing point to replace it.
In humid regions, rainfall often provides enough moisture once established. It collects falling debris in its central rosette, which slowly breaks down and feeds the plant.
Remove only fully spent outer fronds with loppers and avoid disturbing the shielded centre. In cooler areas, provide shelter from frost and cold wind.
7. Kangaroo Fern (Microsorum diversifolium)
Difficulty: Easy
Ideal for dry shade under trees in New South Wales and Queensland, kangaroo fern tolerates root competition once established. Its primary role in the wild is as a ground-layer stabiliser.
Prepare soil thoroughly before planting, as improvement is difficult later under mature trees. Incorporate compost and water deeply during the first growing season. Once established, it requires minimal supplemental watering except in prolonged drought.
Its thick, leathery leaves reduce moisture loss, an adaptation to drier forest floors. Trim wandering rhizomes with gardening scissors to control spread. Refresh mulch annually to maintain soil health.
8. Sickle Fern (Pellaea falcata)
Difficulty: Easy in well-drained positions
Native to southern states and parts of Western Australia, this fern prefers dry shade and sharply drained soil. It's found in rocky woodland, open forest and escarpments, rather than lush rainforest.
Plant slightly elevated if drainage is questionable. Water in well initially, then allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering is a more common cause of failure than drought. Avoid heavy clay unless amended thoroughly with coarse organic matter.
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Its waxy foliage reduces evaporation and tolerates lower humidity than most ferns. Remove old fronds at the base with hand pruners and avoid dense mulch directly around the crown.
9. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Difficulty: Easy in humid climates
An epiphytic fern from the east coast, this species is best grown mounted rather than planted in soil. To do this, secure it to untreated timber or a tree trunk using natural fibre ties on top of some sphagnum moss or other substrate.
Position in filtered light with protection from hot western sun. Soak thoroughly during dry spells, ensuring water reaches behind the shield fronds. Do not remove the brown shield fronds, as they protect roots and trap nutrients.
Feeding outdoors is rarely necessary as organic debris accumulates naturally behind the shields and provides a source of nutrition.
10. Native Fishbone Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia – Australian form)
Difficulty: Easy but vigorous
Native fishbone fern is a warm-climate ground-layer fern found along the east coast of Australia, particularly in Queensland and northern New South Wales. In the wild, it occupies moist forest floors and sheltered coastal margins where light is filtered. It is one of the easier native ferns to grow, provided it has warmth, airflow and steady moisture.
This species spreads via creeping rhizomes and forms small underground tubers that store water and nutrients. That storage capacity allows it to recover after short dry periods and explains its resilience in warm climates. In a garden setting, this also means it can expand steadily, so position it where it has space to move or be prepared to lift and divide it periodically.
Trim wandering runners with sharp secateurs if you want to contain it further. When matched to climate and given space to move it becomes an effective living groundcover that protects soil and suppresses weeds.
11. Rock Fern (Cheilanthes sieberi)
Difficulty: Easy in dry climates, difficult in humidity
Native to arid inland regions including South Australia, this fern is adapted to exposed, rocky landscapes where rainfall is unreliable. It naturally grows in crevices and shallow soils, which explains its intolerance of heavy, moisture-retentive ground. In humid climates or poorly drained beds it can decline quickly from excess.
Plant into rocky or raised positions with gritty, free-draining soil. Incorporate coarse sand or fine gravel and avoid compost-heavy mixes that hold moisture around the crown. Set the plant slightly proud of the surrounding soil surface to prevent water sitting at the base. Water lightly during establishment, then only during extended drought rather than on a schedule.
Greg Tasney, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Its fronds curl inward during dry conditions, reducing surface area and moisture loss. This protective response allows the plant to endure long dry periods that would finish softer ferns. When rain returns, the fronds unfurl rapidly and resume growth.
12. Jungle Brake (Pteris umbrosa)
Difficulty: Easy in sheltered shade
Native to eastern Australia, particularly Queensland and northern New South Wales, jungle brake is a reliable rainforest-edge fern that adapts well to home gardens. In the wild, it grows along moist gullies, but in cultivation it proves more forgiving than many delicate understory species.
Prepare the planting site by loosening soil with a fork and incorporating leaf-based compost to improve moisture retention. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil surface. Water in thoroughly and maintain steady moisture during the first growing season. Once settled, it tolerates short dry periods but performs best with consistent watering through warmer months. In cooler climates, plant in a protected position away from frost.
Unlike more fragile rainforest ferns, it maintains a tidy habit and responds well to simple maintenance. Remove ageing fronds at the base with sharp secateurs and refresh mulch annually. In the right position, jungle brake becomes a dependable fern that brings depth to shaded garden spaces.
Matching fern to climate
When positioned with intention and supported with well-prepared soil, sharp drainage where required and consistent watering during establishment, ferns become remarkably resilient.
Several of these species also adapt well to indoor conditions in the right light. The same principles apply inside as outside: avoid waterlogging, protect the crown and prioritise drainage over richness.
Overall, native ferns provide something few other plants can. They cool the soil, soften structure and build a layered foundation that makes a garden feel established.
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