Genus
Nephrolepis
12 US plant patents have been granted in this genus. 6 are already in the public domain — anyone may propagate and sell them. The next of the 6 still protected comes off patent on October 6, 2028.
Still under patent — 6 cultivars
Soonest to come off patent first. You may not propagate these for sale until the date shown.
- ArianePP21218Nephrolepis plant named ‘Ariane’UNDER PATENTOctober 6, 2028
- FlorianePP23829Nephrolepis plant named ‘Floriane’UNDER PATENTSeptember 27, 2031
- Green MomentPP25311Nephrolepis plant named ‘Green Moment’UNDER PATENTDecember 13, 2032
- Green DelightPP25058Nephrolepis plant named ‘Green Delight’UNDER PATENTDecember 18, 2032
- BRAVIT2621PP25964Nephrolepis plant named ‘BRAVIT2621’UNDER PATENTMarch 1, 2034
- BRAVIT2626PP25965Nephrolepis plant named ‘BRAVIT2626’UNDER PATENTMarch 4, 2034
Already in the public domain — 6 cultivars
Most recently freed first. Anyone may propagate and sell these plants — though the name it is sold under may still be a live trademark.
- SunjestPP16531Nephrolepis plant named ‘Sunjest’PUBLIC DOMAINMarch 2, 2025
- VP004PP16271Nephrolepis plant named ‘VP004’PUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 12, 2025
- Nr. 20PP15958Nephrolepis plant named ‘Nr. 20’PUBLIC DOMAINJune 14, 2024
- Nr.21PP14995Nephrolepis plant named ‘Nr.21’PUBLIC DOMAINNovember 18, 2023
- Dallas JewelPP5755Nephrolepis exaltata named Dallas JewelPUBLIC DOMAINJanuary 25, 2005
- EleanorPP5128Nephrolepis exaltata-- Eleanor cultivarPUBLIC DOMAINJune 16, 2002
A patent expiring frees the plant, and its cultivar name comes with it — cultivar names cannot be trademarked, so they are always free to use. What it does not free is any brand name the plant is marketed under. Those are trademarks and renew indefinitely.