Fern Plant Care
As for the structure of a fern, it consists of the leafy branches that are known as fronds. The fronds are made up of small leaflets that are known as pinnae. Underneath the fern frond are the patches that are actually spores contained inside casings collectively known as sporangia. However, all species of ferns do not have spores underneath the fronds.

Fiddlehead Fern
The type of ferns that is edible is known as the fiddlehead fern. However, only three types of these ferns are edible. The key is knowing which ferns are fine for human dining.  The number of ways they can be cooked is quite varied and some creativity has been used in the common fiddlehead fern recipe.

Birds Nest Fern
The Bird Nest Fern requires a climate that is bright, warm and humid and grows best in soils that are well drained. The plant needs a continuous supply of moisture when it is growing. However, care should be taken that the soil does not become water logged or heavy due to excessive water as this may result in the plant's death.

Sword Fern
The erect version of the sword fern is primarily most happy in humid environments, even though it is also known as the Boston Fern. Now, Boston can be humid in the summer, but it also gets covered with blizzards every now and then. Go figure.

Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese painted fern is a very unique looking fern that seems to enjoy the shade more than some of its cousins in the fern family. But, just because it likes the shade does not mean that it likes to hide in the shadows.

Tropical Ferns
Ferns, the first land plants that grow on all the continents of the world except Antarctica, are classified into 10-12,000 species. Though most of the ferns are put under the broad category of Tropical ferns, all the ferns in this category do not necessarily need 'tropical' climatic conditions for their growth.

Maidenhair Fern
Maiden hair ferns usually grow up to a height of 12-18 inches. The fronds grow in a circular, fan like position. Maidenhair are often grown for ornamental purposes, owing to their dainty appearance. They are not susceptible to any serious disease and are usually not infested by insects.