How to Grow Ferns in Containers

Ferns are beautiful, easy to maintain and colorful plants that have been a staple of many gardening styles since Victorian times. Growing ferns in containers is relatively simple, though some care and attention is required at the beginning of the process.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Sterilize the container and soil. If you're growing a fern from spores you need to select a small, sealable container and sterilize it. To sterilize the container use a diluted, 10-percent bleach solution. Then, to rid the container of bleach remnants and other contaminants, put the container through a hot wash cycle in your dishwasher.

2. Sterilize the soil. To begin growing the fern spores you need a growing mix. You can get a good growing mix from most well stocked nurseries. To sterilize the mix, take few gardening shovels worth of the material and place it in a plastic bag. Add enough water to make the mix into a thick mush. Then place the bag in a tall container and place the container in the microwave at a low setting for the better part of an hour.

3. Choose the right soil. To best grow ferns in containers you need to use the right soil. You should not use either ground soil or regular potting soil. Instead use a mixture. One option uses one part garden soil, one part coarse washed sand and two parts of organic material such as peat moss. You can also substitute starter grit for the coarse sand. Either way, be sure to sterilize the mixture before planting the spores or young ferns.

4. Feed and water often. Once you've gotten your fern growing in a container, make sure the container properly drains water through a hole in its bottom. The potted fern will need more water than ground growing plants since it loses water more quickly. Feed the plant soluble fertilizer at half the strength needed for other kinds of plants. Modulate the feeding schedule to see what works best for the fern.