Growli
Let's go

Light requirements

How much light does Fishtail Sword Fern (Nephrolepis falcata) need?

Also called Fishtail Sword Fern, Fishtail Fern, Sickle-leaved Sword Fern.

More about fishtail sword fern

About Fishtail Sword Fern

Nephrolepis falcata · also called Fishtail Sword Fern, Fishtail Fern · houseplant

Nephrolepis falcata is a distinctive tropical sword fern recognisable by its uniquely forked or fish-tail-shaped pinnae, unlike the simple pinnae of other Nephrolepis. Native to Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands, it brings bold, architectural texture to interiors and patios. Relatively easy to grow with moderate watering and humidity. Non-toxic to pets.

Comfort temperature: 18–30°C

Watch for — Loss of forked pinnae character: Under low-light or nutrient-poor conditions, new fronds may produce less pronounced forking and appear closer to a standard sword fern. Ensure adequate bright indirect light, feed regularly during growth, and the distinctive fishtail form will reassert itself on new fronds.

The exact light fishtail sword fern needs

Fishtail Sword Fern is an adaptable, forgiving plant for medium indirect light — it does best a couple of metres from a window, and is one of the easier plants to place well.

Put a number on it — this is what a meter (or a free phone light-meter app) should read where fishtail sword fern sits:

In plain terms, A couple of metres from a bright window, beside a north or east window, or anywhere a room feels comfortably light to read in without a lamp during the day. Hours of direct midday sun (it will scorch even though it tolerates a lot) and genuinely gloomy back corners with no view of the sky.

Not sure how to read the light in your home? Our light meter guide walks through measuring footcandles and lux with a free phone app and turning the reading into a placement decision for fishtail sword fern.

Signs fishtail sword fern is getting too much light

The most exposed leaves show it first. For fishtail sword fern specifically, watch for:

Light damage does not heal — a scorched leaf stays scorched — so the fix is to move fishtail sword fern out of the harsh light rather than wait for it to recover.

Signs fishtail sword fern is not getting enough light

Too little light is slower and sneakier than too much. The classic tell is etiolation: the plant stretches and pales as it reaches for a window. For fishtail sword fern, look for:

If fishtail sword fern is stretched, leggy and pale, our guide to leggy, stretched plants covers how to fix it and whether it can be pruned back into shape. Pushing fishtail sword fern into a truly dark corner because it is "low-light tolerant" in the catalogue. There is a real difference between tolerating medium light and surviving a sunless corner — in genuine gloom it stretches, sulks and is easy to overwater because it barely drinks.

Where to put fishtail sword fern: the best window and room

Fishtail Sword Fern is genuinely flexible: a few metres into a bright room, next to a north or east window, or a well-lit hallway all work. Use the read-a-book test — if you can comfortably read there in daytime without a lamp, fishtail sword fern will be content. It will take a brighter spot too, as long as it is out of the direct midday beam.

  1. Use the read-a-book test. Stand where fishtail sword fern will go in daytime: if you can comfortably read without a lamp, the light level is about right for medium-indirect.
  2. Keep it out of the direct beam. Medium-indirect tolerates a lot but not hours of raw midday sun — set fishtail sword fern beside or back from the window, not in the hot beam.
  3. Avoid the truly dark corner. If there is no view of the sky and you would need a lamp by day, that is too dim — move fishtail sword fern toward the light or add a small grow light.
  4. Adjust watering with the light. Lower light means fishtail sword fern drinks far less; ease off in winter and any dim spell or you will overwater it.

Does fishtail sword fern need a grow light?

Because fishtail sword fern is happy in moderate light, a modest grow light easily covers a dim room: an inexpensive full-spectrum LED run 10–12 hours a day is plenty — you do not need the high-output fixtures a sun lover demands. This makes it one of the best choices for a north-facing or windowless room.

The seasonal light shift (why winter changes everything)

Even an easy-going plant feels the winter light drop. From November to February, move fishtail sword fern closer to its window, ease right off watering (less light means it drinks far less, and the same routine that worked in summer will rot it), and do not feed until the days lengthen and new growth resumes in spring.

Light and watering are linked: a plant in weaker winter light photosynthesises and drinks far less, so the same routine that worked in summer can rot it. See how often to water fishtail sword fern for the season-by-season schedule that pairs with this light plan.

Fishtail Sword Fern light requirements — frequently asked questions

How much light does fishtail sword fern need?

Fishtail Sword Fern needs Roughly 150–400 fc — moderate light; reads as "comfortably light room", not "sunny spot". Around 1,500–4,000 lux: bright shade to a gently lit room. A couple of metres from a bright window, beside a north or east window, or anywhere a room feels comfortably light to read in without a lamp during the day.

Can fishtail sword fern survive in low light?

No, not really. Fishtail Sword Fern is a bright-light plant — in low light it etiolates: it stretches, pales, weakens and slows right down. It will not instantly die, but it steadily declines and never looks its best.

What are the signs fishtail sword fern is getting too much light?

Pale, washed-out, or yellowing leaves and dry scorch patches if fishtail sword fern sits in direct midday sun for hours — it tolerates medium light, not raw sun. Faded or bleached colour on the most exposed leaves, sometimes with crispy edges. Curling or cupping away from a too-bright window. Pushing fishtail sword fern into a truly dark corner because it is "low-light tolerant" in the catalogue. There is a real difference between tolerating medium light and surviving a sunless corner — in genuine gloom it stretches, sulks and is easy to overwater because it barely drinks.

What are the signs fishtail sword fern is not getting enough light?

Slow, leggy, stretched growth with longer gaps between leaves as fishtail sword fern reaches for the light. Smaller new leaves, a thin and drawn-out look, and lower leaves yellowing and dropping. Soil that stays wet for far too long after watering — a classic side effect of too little light slowing the plant down. If you see this, move fishtail sword fern closer to the light or add a grow light — and check our guide on leggy, stretched plants.

Does fishtail sword fern need a grow light?

Because fishtail sword fern is happy in moderate light, a modest grow light easily covers a dim room: an inexpensive full-spectrum LED run 10–12 hours a day is plenty — you do not need the high-output fixtures a sun lover demands. This makes it one of the best choices for a north-facing or windowless room.

Keep reading