A guide on repotting Sword Fern

There are a range of reasons for repotting a plant. From wanting it to grow more and realising your Sword Fern is restricted in its container to changing the pot because it has gotten old like any other type of Houseplant you may grow for fun. Whatever your reason, the below steps should lead you in the right direction to replacing the pot of your Houseplant, a type of plant in the Dryopteridaceae family of botany.

Repotting Sword Fern from one pot to another step by step

In this article and the steps below, you’ll learn how to repot your Sword Fern, just like you would repot your Sundew as it is in the same family. Follow along as you do it or make notes if necessary.

First, get your Sword Fern loose in the pot

Once you have decided on repotting, do you research. Without research, the repotting process may not be as effective as you think and you can use this as an opportunity to maximise the health and growth of your Sword Fern by checking the soil ph (Acidic, neutral) and timing the repot just before the bloom time of the plant too. The bloom time of Sword Fern is: nan. Once you are sure when to repot, water your soil in preparation for extraction.

Second, prepare the new pot for your Sword Fern

Patience is key when extracting your Sword Fern from the pot. Depending on the age of the Sword Fern, it may have complex root systems. Take care and maybe turn it upside down to ease it out.

Third, select the soil optimally when preparing Sword Fern for repotting

So you have prepared your new pot and also removed Sword Fern from the old pot. The final step is simple, fill in any gaps with Moist, well-drained soil and allow your Sword Fern to flourish.

Caring for your Sword Fern into the future

Once the repotting procedure for Sword Fern is complete, it becomes crucial to familiarize yourself with its ongoing care requirements so you can avoid having to repot again or worse, the death of your plant.

What other names does Sword Fern have?

Your Sword Fern may have other names you could call it. Consider the botanical and scientific names for the plants below. You may need this information when considering what soil type to buy or to get more specific on how to take care of it.

Scientific name Sword Fern Nephrolepis obliterata
Botanical name Nephrolepis obliterata


For a different plant in this family, check out Prairie Blazing Stars which will provide a nice contrast. Alternatively, to find a plant that is can be repotted in a similar way, maybe Stromanthe Triostars are a good fit as they are in the same family.

What kind of plant is Sword Fern?

To take care of your Sword Fern in the best way after repotting, make sure you research how to take care of Houseplant in general as your plant is from the same family. In latin, this family name is called Dryopteridaceae that is non-hazardous.

When can you expect your repotted Sword Fern to bloom?

To see your Sword Fern reaching its full size of 2–3 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide requires your attention and care. Imagine it is a while after repotting and you have taken care of the plant in the right way. You’ll have the joy of seeing it burst into nan blooms precisely during nan time. This is achieved by taking care of your plant like you would any other similar plant like a Swiss Cheese Plant. Using the right care and being patient after you repot is key.

Where should you keep Sword Fern? Inside or outside?

Whether Sword Fern is kept inside or out after repotting is dependent on personal preference and you may wish to rotate your Sword Fern from one environment to the next as the seasons change. So, compare your local climate to your plants natural climate: Australia. Also, make sure you’re nearby the recommended hardiness zone if keeping outside: 9–11 (USDA)

A guide on the long term care for Sword Fern after repotting

Repotting is most of the time going to help your Sword Fern grow, especially if you are moving it to a more suitably sized pot with some better fitting soil. However, once repotted, you should grow the plant in the right hardiness zone of 9–11 (USDA) and in a similar climate to where the plant would have usually been growing (Australia).

This is vital to maximise the chance it will reach its mature size of 2–3 ft. tall, 2–4 ft. wide. Also, a final factor in ensuring that Sword Fern reaches this height and the full mature size that it can is to ensure the exposure from the sun is correct. Aim for it to get Partial, shade exposure.

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