Holly Fern is eye-catching on its own.

Outdoors it grows best in full shade but will tolerate some morning sun.

But long fronds with thick, shiny green leaflets make this a handsome addition to any indoor plant grouping. Most ferns are adapted to the loamy understory of forests and rainforests. This popular ornamental plant originated from Japan and is known by the common name as the Japanese holly fern. This type of fern is easy-to-care-for because it is tough and its leathery leaves adapt well to dry indoor air, as the leaves lose water slower than other ferns. Japanese holly care includes regular irrigation to keep the soil moist. Care of Holly Ferns. Coarser in effect than most ferns, this is tolerant of arid conditions, so is popular especially in the Southwestern US. You likely keep your home at about the same temperatures that most indoor ferns need. They thrive in moist soils with high organic matter and grow best when provided with filtered sunlight. From Asia, South Africa, Polynesia. Japanese holly plants do best in zones 6-7 or 8, depending on the cultivar. Houseplant care: Cyrtomium falcatum is a tough plant for growing indoors because it tolerates dry air, low light and gas fumes better than most other ferns. Even the epiphytic ferns (air plants that don't have roots), such as the staghorn, tend to thrive in the loamy leaf litter that collects in the crooks of tree branches. 2. Add it to a shade garden where it will contribute rich texture and evergreen foliage. Botanical Name: Cyrtomium falcatum. Japanese Holly Fern. Japanese Holly Ferns can be grown as house plants, table plants or outdoors in mild climates. They need less humidity and less care that other indoor ferns. Zones MS, LS, CS, TS; USDA 7-11. This popular ornamental plant originated from Japan and is known by the common name as the Japanese holly fern. The southern lady fern is a most attractive woodland fern. cyrtomium falcatum. Combine this easy-care fern among variegated foliage plants, such as snow bush, colorful coleus -- or one of the prayer plants. So make sure your ferns are well hydrated. Now, if you are new at growing and keeping ferns, you can check out our article about how to take care of ferns … Loves moisture, but requires good drainage. Also tolerant of lime soils, and grows especially well beside sidewalks or foundations. Best in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist, watering freely in dry weather. This fern has holly-like pinnae and sori scattered over the underside of the pinnae. A vigorous plant with shiny, spiky leaflets that resemble holly foliage, Japanese holly fern is hardy to USDA Zones 6 to 11 where it can be grown outdoors as a shade plant. Detailed Care Features The waviness of the Crispy Wave's fronds' increased their actual surface area compared to other ferns which, according of NASA's air purifying plant study, is the number one factor in determining a plant's oxygen producing capabilities.