Plant guide
Giant sword fern
Nephrolepis biserrata
Giant sword fern is considered non-toxic to cats. Also sold as macho fern, it needs room for its long fronds. This guide covers Nephrolepis biserrata, not plants merely marketed as ferns.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: Nephrolepis biserrata only. Confirm the botanical label; a photograph cannot identify a visitor’s specimen.
Photo:
Photo details
NC State Extension — Nephrolepis biserrata
By Yercaud-elango
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Original photograph unchanged; proportionally resized for review and display.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Nephrolepis biserrata
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Nephrolepis biserrata only; the care categories summarize the cited growing guidance.
- Light
- Some direct sun or Sunny position
Give outdoor plants partial to full sun.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Maintain moist soil; this fern does not tolerate prolonged dryness.
- Temperature
- Temperature range not yet established
A preferred numerical growing range was not established in the reviewed source.
- Potting
- Choose organic-rich, freely draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
- Through the year
- Allow space for its large fronds; divide established clumps when propagation is needed.
Growing-guide sources
- Nephrolepis biserrata identity and growing guidance ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Exact named plant; outdoor and seasonal conditions retain their original context. Temperature coverage records that this review did not establish a preferred numerical growing range; it does not supply one.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-10-17. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Giant sword fern cat/pet safety reference ↗ASPCA · Accessed
ASPCA explicitly names the exact species and its cat assessment. NC State provides botanical identity and growing guidance.
- Giant sword fern: supporting reference ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-10-17
Safety last reviewed .