Kangaroo Paw Fern

This wacky fern has funky leaves with deep splits, giving it an extra whimsical charm.

Ferns were one of the first types of plants to capture the imagination of houseplant lovers in the modern era, and they can add a lush feel to almost any plant arrangement. There are dozens of varieties, many of which are characterized by delicate fronds and a bushy growth habit that can trail slightly. Most have either dense, fibrous roots like the typical Boston fern, or thick rhizomes like those that give the Rabbit’s Foot fern its name. In almost all cases high humidity is a must to avoid crispy leaves, and plants prefer to stay evenly hydrated and never dry out completely. A few varieties tolerate very high light, but most thrive away from direct sun with strong indirect light, mimicking the dappled or filtered light they get as undergrowth in the wild.