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Japanese holly fern and Kupukupu: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Japanese holly fern Cyrtomium falcatum	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Kupukupu Nephrolepis cordifolia
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Eastern Asia, including China and Vietnam	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Part to full shade	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, rich, well-drained soil	Average moisture
Mature height
About 1½–2 ft	1–3 ft
Mature spread
2–3 ft	1–4 ft
USDA hardiness zones
7–10	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Evergreen foliage in mild climates	Year-round fern foliage
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile; this fern has no flowers or nectar.	Native fern foliage adds groundcover and helps protect shaded soil.
Growing notes
A clumping fern with glossy, holly-like leaves. Fronds may die back in colder locations.	Use Hawaiian nursery stock: naturalized sword ferns can be confused with natives. Keep soil moist; this species is introduced in the continental US.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.