Further Reading
There are very few books dedicated to growing exotic ferns. However, several general fern books have good coverage of this topic and are worth referring to. The names of many ferns have changed over the years, sometimes more than once! Reference to an online synonymic database should enable you to identify the current name (for example, World Plants: Ferns and Lycophytes). Similarly, the names of chemical treatments for pests and diseases and their regulation have also changed over the years, generally to become less toxic to humans and the environment.
Ben Newell
Dorling Kindersley: London, 2024
A practical and inspirational guide for those wanting to set up small terrariums. The book is beautifully presented, with information on horticulture and design philosophy.
Mobee Weinstein
Cool Springs Press: Beverley, USA, 2020
This is a good general fern grower’s book that is well-written and lively, with 70 of 256 pages devoted to indoor ferns and their horticulture. It also has a section on using ferns indoors for decorative effects.
Hoshizaki and Moran
Timber Press: Portland, Oregon, 2001
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This book, now more than twenty years old and based on Hoshizaki’s 1979 book of the same name, is almost the ‘bible’ for many exotic fern growers. It covers hardy, tender and tropical ferns and gives guidance on the cultivation of all. The species guide is extensive and provides descriptions and silhouettes to aid in fern identification. The original published edition (rather than ‘print on demand’) has a section of colour photographs to further give an indication of what one can hope to grow.
Boy Altman
Rebo Productions Lts: Netherlands, 1998
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Illustrated with excellent photographs, this book focuses on Indoor ferns and how they can best be grown. It focuses primarily on plants that can be obtained from retailers rather than from specialist collections.
Susanne Amberger-Ochsenbauer
Merehurst Ltd: London, 1996
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This slim book of 64 pages is full of information and advice from a well-published agricultural scientist. Although short, it contains all the information that a beginner needs to know.
Andrew MacHugh
BT Batsford Ltd: London, 1992
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This publication only has a short section dedicated to indoor and tropical ferns but, unusually, does cover the growing of some aquatic and marginal tropical ferns.
David Jones
Timber Press: Portland, Oregon, 1987
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As one of the first large, colour guides to ferns and their horticulture, this weighty encyclopaedia is extensive in its coverage of all types of ferns, growing conditions, pests and diseases. Although it is nearly forty years old, it contains a lot of very useful horticultural information based on experience. There are also good illustrations and colour photographs to aid identification and for inspiration!
AJ Macself
Collingridge: London, 1952
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​At more than sixty years old, this book is almost of historical interest. However, there are more than one hundred pages devoted to indoor and tropical fern growing and there is sound horticultural advice contained therein. The author covers all types of indoor conditions, from cold greenhouses to Wardian cases and domestic living rooms. The species guide is limited and is illustrated with a few black and white photographs.