Ferns for Sale in St. Augustine to Daytona Beach, FL

Our Ferns — Complete Plant List & Prices

All prices are 10% or more below major retailers. Prices shown are per plant.

What Ferns Grow Best in NE Florida Shade?

Northeast Florida's humid climate and natural tree canopy create ideal conditions for shade-loving ferns. Whether you have dense shade under live oaks or dappled light on a screened porch, there's a fern variety perfectly suited to your conditions. Here's our guide to the best ferns for NE Florida shade gardens:

• Macho Fern (Nephrolepis biserrata) — The undisputed champion of Florida shade ferns. Macho Ferns produce enormous, arching fronds that can reach 4 feet across. They're bold, dramatic, and nearly indestructible in NE Florida's humidity. With over 10,000 plants in stock, this is our most popular fern for homeowners across St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra. Priced at just $17.99 in 10" pots.
• Holly Fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) — A refined, glossy-leafed fern that tolerates more shade than almost any other variety. Holly Fern's dark green, leather-like fronds are virtually indestructible and surprisingly cold-hardy for a tropical plant. Excellent for deeply shaded spots under trees in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach landscapes. Priced at $21.99.
• Asparagus Sprengeri Fern (Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri) — A cascading, delicate-looking fern with fine needle-like leaves that create an airy, cloud-like effect. Works beautifully in hanging baskets, retaining walls, and as a ground cover in partial shade. Very popular in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach container gardens.
• Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus Myersii) — Named for its distinctive cylindrical, foxtail-shaped fronds, this dramatic fern is unlike any other. The fronds grow upright in an unusual bottle-brush pattern. Slightly more sun-tolerant than other ferns, making it versatile for NE Florida landscapes with variable light. Available at $26.99.
• Dwarf Maiden Grass (Miscanthus sinensis) — A fine ornamental grass that pairs beautifully with ferns to create textured, naturalistic garden compositions. While technically a grass, it fills the same design role as a fern and provides graceful movement in the breeze. Works well in partial shade across the NE Florida region.

• Shade ferns for sale in St. Augustine, FL — 10,000+ Macho Ferns in stock
• Holly Fern and Foxtail Fern for Ponte Vedra shaded landscapes
• Deep shade ferns delivered to Palm Coast, FL gardens
• Hanging basket ferns for Flagler Beach, FL porches and patios
• Tropical ferns for shaded yards in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach, FL

Pair your shade ferns with Cat Palms and Majesty Palms, which provide the ideal overhead canopy for creating a lush under-story fern garden.

Are Ferns Low Maintenance in Florida?

Yes — most ferns are among the easiest plants to grow in Northeast Florida's humid climate. The conditions that challenge other plants — high humidity, frequent summer rain, dappled shade — are exactly what ferns love. Here's the full story on fern maintenance in NE Florida:

• Watering: Once established, most ferns in NE Florida require very little supplemental irrigation. Florida's summer rainfall (June–September) provides all the water Macho Ferns and Holly Ferns need in shaded locations in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra. During the dry season (October–May), water once or twice a week. Ferns in containers dry out faster and may need daily watering in summer heat.
• Fertilizing: Ferns in the ground need fertilizing just 2–3 times per year with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Use a light hand — over-fertilizing causes lush but weak growth. For Palm Coast and Flagler Beach properties where sandy soils are nutrient-poor, a spring and fall feeding is the minimum. Container ferns benefit from monthly liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
• Pruning and Grooming: Ferns require minimal pruning. Simply remove dead or brown fronds as they appear to keep plants looking tidy. Macho Ferns benefit from cutting back older outer fronds occasionally to make room for new growth from the center. This is a 10-minute task every 4–6 weeks in Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach landscapes.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Ferns are generally pest-resistant in Florida. Occasional issues include scale insects on fronds and root rot from overwatering. The latter is the most common problem — avoid planting ferns in poorly drained areas. Holly Ferns are particularly resistant to pests and disease, making them essentially maintenance-free once established.
• Cold Hardiness: Holly Fern is cold-hardy to 10°F and will look great through NE Florida's winters with no protection. Macho Fern handles light frosts but may brown in hard freezes — it typically regrows vigorously from the roots in spring. Foxtail Fern and Asparagus Ferns are cold-sensitive and benefit from frost cloth on nights below 28°F in St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra yards.
• Long-Term Performance: In the right conditions (shade, moisture, organic soil), established ferns essentially take care of themselves in Florida. Many Macho Fern plantings in NE Florida have been growing for 10+ years with only annual fertilizing and occasional trimming. That's about as low-maintenance as a landscape plant gets.

• Low-maintenance ferns for busy St. Augustine homeowners
• Easy-care shade plants for Ponte Vedra landscaping
• Zero-maintenance ferns for Palm Coast HOA and residential landscapes
• Hardy, no-fuss ferns for Flagler Beach coastal gardens
• Best low-maintenance tropical plants for Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach

Combine your ferns with colorful hibiscus in the sunny border and bougainvillea on the fence for a complete, low-maintenance tropical yard. Browse our full plant inventory for everything we deliver across NE Florida.