How to Care for Ferns

Ferns are favorite houseplants because of their beautiful lacey foliage that add grace and drama to the dullest corners of the home. They are also easy to plant, propagate and care for. If you're new to growing and keeping ferns, just follow these simple steps and you'll be on your way to appreciating this all-time favorite.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Potting mixture of soil, charcoal chips and peat moss
• Containers (plastic, clay, wood boxes or moss baskets)

1. Know that the natural habitat of ferns is under the canopy of trees in dense tropical forests. They are in the shade, in moderate temperatures of about 75 degrees F, accompanied by high humidity.

2. Use a light and well-aerated potting medium that retains moisture, but does not give the fern wet feet. A potting medium that drains well and allows air circulation for the roots includes peat or sphagnum moss, leaf mold, gravel, coarse sand, perlite, or charcoal chips. A top layer of sphagnum moss to serve as mulch helps keep the soil moist and aerated.

3. Provide medium to bright light. Avoid direct sunlight. Ferns will thrive on any window location in the house. North-facing windows are adequate all year round. Ferns sitting in south-facing windows must be moved away from direct sunlight in the summertime. Sheer curtains will help reduce the intensity of sunlight, especially for east- or west-facing windows. Remember that none of the ferns will survive long periods of low light.

4. Water as soon as soil is dry. Ferns quickly become distressed when underwatered, especially in the growing season, but they don't like to be soaked either. Check the soil often to determine if watering is required. Leaflets turning yellow and dropping off is a sign of either underwatering or overwatering.

5. Maintain high humidity levels. Ferns require very high moisture in the air to remain healthy and lush. Most air-conditioned and heated homes have low humidity; therefore, a humidifier might be needed. Indoor humidity can also be raised by clustering houseplants together or putting the fern pot over a humidity tray (container with gravel immersed in water). Frequent misting also helps.

6. Fertilize moderately with all-purpose formulas in the spring and summer.

7. Propagate by dividing. Some ferns grow very fast, overflowing from the pot in just one or two seasons. To keep them healthy, prune back and propagate by dividing the root ball. A tight root ball will require cutting with a knife. Replant the divided plants by spreading the roots in the new container. Water thoroughly and mist often for a week or two.

Tips & Warnings

• The most popular and well-loved ferns are the Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata), the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum), the Bird's Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) and the Brake Fern (Pteris ssp.).

Resources

• UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences: Growing Ferns
• Santa Rosa Tropicals: Fern Growing Tips