Q and A: Name that fern!

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Bonnie sent in a great Q and A concerning a favorite fern...
Question:

I have had this plant for almost 10 years, and it has always done well indoors. It used to be very full with lovely, soft, delicate fronds (sort of like maidenhair?). Some of the fronds would yellow and dry up, those I would cut away.

But then Rutsen happened. He has decided the pot makes the best kitty bed- the poor plant has been repeatedly smooshed into a fern pancake! While this makes my kitten smell absolutely delicious (imagine that lovely babycat smell, and marry it with the mossy/ earthy/ moist smell of the fern)- the plant is really suffering and I am not sure it will make it. I will probably have to replace it- so any identification help or help salvaging this plant would be greatly appreciated!

Answer:

Bonnie- I have one of these ferns at home and while mine has never been to happy or healthy it's great to hear that you had yours going strong for 10 years!

I have heard this fern called nephrolepsis exaltata, suzi wong or birds nest fern. I think it's related to the boston fern family but it's wonderful curled fronds fluff up into a veritable lime green cotton candy puff. I picked mine up at a local nursery but I have seen them at larger home supply stores as well.

While this fern can be touchy- it will bounce right back after some TLC. Try keeping the soil very moist and removing any fronds that are clearly dead or crushed- this will speed up new growth. And maybe move it up out of Rutsen's reach!