Ferns in Pots Add Glorious Texture to a Patio – These Are the Best 5, Say Experts, From the Thousands You Can Choose From

A fern growing in a black pot in a shady urban balcony garden, along with other foliage plants in containers.

Growing ferns in containers opens up many possibilities for enjoying decorative, almost prehistoric, foliage and a woodland-style aesthetic in smaller gardens and spaces where planting into the ground isn’t possible. It also gives gardeners the chance to grow delicate species that may not otherwise survive year-round outdoors in the ground.

There are over 10,000 species of ferns worldwide, with a diverse range of sizes, shapes, and shades. It can potentially be confusing for households to decide which one of these ancient plants are best suited for their location, and which will thrive in a container.