How Much Do Ferns Cost?

How Much Do Ferns Cost?

Most small starter ferns in four to six inch pots land between $8 and $20 at big box stores and local nurseries. A popular porch choice, the Lowe’s Boston Fern hanging basket often costs $15 to $25 for a 1.5 gallon size. Specialty garden centers place mid sized and large pots between $17 and $50 depending on species and fullness, which fits the range many shoppers see in high traffic aisles.

Bare root ferns cost less up front. Field grown starters from growers like TN Nursery commonly price near $5 to $12 each and ship without soil, which trims freight and helps landscapers plant by the dozen. A single variety at a native plant shop can be even lower at entry level, and a mixed multi pack drives the per unit price down further for mass planting runs.

Premium and rare species live higher on the scale. Named cultivars and larger format houseplants at full service centers like Armstrong Garden Centers commonly list between $17 and $49 depending on size and type. Some selections carry a higher tag because they are slower to finish, they are less common, or they require extra care at the nursery.

Small plants cost less. Prices jump with size. If you are planning a porch refresh for summer, stacking a value hanging fern with a mid priced ceramic pot, a bag of indoor outdoor mix, and a slow release fertilizer can deliver a lush look for far less than a designer planter set that bundles the same parts.

You might also like our articles about the cost of bamboo plants, aloe vera plants, or dwarf orchid trees.

Real-Life Cost Examples

Apartment porch in Birmingham. One 1.5 gallon Boston fern at $19, clay pot at $14, potting mix at $8, hanger at $7, tax at $3. Total near $51. The buyer waters twice a week in warm months and trims spent fronds monthly. The plant lasts the full season with steady growth.

Shade bed in Columbus. Ten bare root lady ferns at $4.99 each and ground shipping at $12, mulch at $24. Total near $86. Survival is high with steady moisture, and fronds fill in by late spring. The buyer adds labels and records planting depth to keep spacing even across the bed. The plan is to divide in a year or two for free plants.

Office lobby in Seattle. Two mid sized house ferns, one holly and one rabbit’s foot, purchased at a full service center at $39.99 and $29.99, decorative planters at $35 and $28, indoor mix at $9, tax at $11. Total near $154. The team adds a watering schedule and trims weekly. Both plants hold color under bright indirect light near north windows.

Backyard party in Phoenix. Four hanging baskets at $22 each on sale, two extra hangers at $10 each, a gallon of mix at $12, tax at $9. Total near $129. The host groups baskets around a shaded pergola for a lush backdrop, then keeps two and gifts two after the event. Sales happen every spring.

Collector pick in Miami. A specialty hare’s foot fern from a niche seller at $45, heat pack at $4, insulated shipper at $6, two day shipping at $14, tax at $3. Total near $72. The buyer quarantines for two weeks, repots to a slotted orchid basket, and uses a light mist schedule to hold humidity.

Cost Breakdown

Base plant. A small pot or bare root is the cheapest entry. Expect $5 to $12 for bare root starters and $8 to $20 for small potted plants. Hanging baskets and large pots jump to $15 to $50 because they hold more media and more mature crowns.

Container choice. Basic grow pots are included. Decorative clay or ceramic adds $10 to $40 for most indoor sizes. Lightweight resin can be cheaper and easier to move. Saucers and hangers add $5 to $12 per item and are easy to forget in early estimates.

Soil and amendments. Standard indoor outdoor mix runs $8 to $15 for a small bag. A moisture retentive blend may cost a few dollars more. Slow release fertilizer adds $5 to $12 and lasts for months when used as directed. Do not overfeed. Ferns prefer steady nutrition.

Delivery and shipping. Store pickup is free. Local delivery fees run $10 to $25 in many cities. Mail order bare root charges are often modest. Live plants in soil cost more to ship because of weight and packing time. Shipping changes totals fast.

Care supplies and losses. Mister bottles, pruning snips, and humidity trays add small amounts. Replacement for one loss per season is realistic for new growers. Add a small cushion to the budget to avoid frustration if a plant fails to adapt to a new space.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Species and rarity. Common Boston and lady ferns are mass grown and affordable. Slow growing or exotic types stay higher. Collector ferns with unusual fronds command premiums because supply is tighter and production is slower.

Size and maturity. Juvenile plants cost less but need time to fill a pot. Large bushy specimens cost more and deliver instant impact. Buyers pay for the grower’s time and inputs that produced a full crown.

Season and region. Spring and early summer push demand and raise prices. Off season deals are real in many regions, though heat and cold risks grow for shipped plants. Local humidity and shade also play a role in what sells and at what tag.

Store type and brand. Big box chains push volume and price aggressively. Independent nurseries carry more variety and offer guidance, which can add a small premium. Specialty shops curate rare types. That curation shows up on the receipt.

Supply chain and inputs. Freight, fuel, media, and labor costs flow into tags. Weather events and pest pressure can pinch supply. When greenhouses run tight on space or heat, growers prioritize faster turns, which makes slow ferns pricier for a stretch.

For a feel on current retail bands and mix, the selection at Armstrong Garden Centers shows mid and premium pots, and the affordable bare root approach is clear at TN Nursery. Specialty assortments at Great Garden Plants help illustrate how variety and pot size move price within a single category.

Alternative Products or Services

Many buyers compare ferns with other shade stars. Hostas and heuchera fill similar roles in beds and containers, while faux plants and propagation kits can satisfy tight budgets or low light rooms. The table below offers a quick side by side on typical tags and how each option behaves across a season.

Ferns compete well on entry price and deliver instant softness in shade beds and baskets. Hostas and heuchera bring strong color and pattern, which helps mixed plantings look designed without extra effort. For extremely low light, a faux fern in a good pot can keep a space tidy and green with no upkeep cost after purchase.

Ways to Spend Less

Buy bare root for beds. Use field grown starters for mass planting and let the garden do the finishing. Plant into moist soil and mulch to hold water. A ten pack can cut the per plant cost in half compared with single pots.

Time purchases. Look for spring promotions on porch baskets and early fall discounts as stores reset inventory. End of shipment markdowns are common when carts arrive fuller than expected. Inspect roots and crowns before you buy.

Use the right pot once. Repot only when needed. Upsizing too early wastes soil and water. Choose a pot that fits the root ball with room to grow. Add a saucer to protect floors and reduce cleanup time.

Divide and share. Many hardy ferns split cleanly after a season or two. Plan to divide and refill gaps in a bed. Share extras with neighbors. Free plants stretch the budget further than any coupon.

Mind shipping details. Bare root ships cheap and fast. Live potted plants weigh more and need careful packing. Bundle orders to meet free ship thresholds and avoid multiple small charges that add up across a season.

Expert insights and sources

Everyday porch pricing is visible on the Lowe’s Boston Fern hanging basket. Bare root ranges and bulk friendly formats are listed by TN Nursery, and a single species benchmark appears in the Lady Fern bare root page. Mid and premium pot sizes and species variety are shown by Armstrong Garden Centers. Mixed perennial fern selections and regional ship windows are outlined at Great Garden Plants. Each source uses live retail tags that help anchor the ranges in this guide.