Ferns, type by type.
Ferns have a fussy reputation - and some earn it - but plenty are genuinely tough, and almost all of the true ones are pet-safe. Here are 21 profiles sorted by how forgiving they are, from the button fern that shrugs off dry air to the maidenhair that demands humidity. Two 'ferns' here aren't ferns at all (they're asparagus, and toxic) - and they're flagged as such.
Easy, forgiving ferns Tolerant of ordinary rooms and the odd missed watering - the ferns that forgive.
Humidity-loving ferns Lusher and prettier, but they want moist air - terrariums, bathrooms and humidifiers.
"Ferns" that aren't (and aren't pet-safe) Sold as ferns but actually asparagus relatives - and toxic to pets.
Most ferns share a shade-and-moisture philosophy with the air-purifying and pet-safe collections. For a tougher, sculptural direction, the hoya catalog is another pet-safe rabbit hole.
Gear for ferns
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