How to prune fishtail sword fern

Early spring for removing older fronds; any time for dead material. Cut dead or declining fronds cleanly at their base with scissors. In spring, remove the oldest outer fronds to the base to refresh the plant. Do not cut fronds mid-blade — cut edges brown and do not heal.

Dead fronds as needed; light refresh annually in spring. Fishtail Sword Fern (Nephrolepis falcata) needs routine tidying rather than heavy pruning. Remove dead or damaged fronds by cutting at the base throughout the year. In early spring, trim back older, tired fronds to the base to encourage a flush of fresh growth. Its distinctive sickle-shaped pinnae should not be trimmed mid-blade.

Cut dead or declining fronds cleanly at their base with scissors. In spring, remove the oldest outer fronds to the base to refresh the plant. Do not cut fronds mid-blade — cut edges brown and do not heal.