How to Care for an Indoor Fern

Ferns have been used indoors since the Victorian age. They make beautiful houseplants but they do take specialized care. This article will help you care for your fern houseplant. Fern care is simple but it does require consistency.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select a place which has indired light, is not near a heat vent and preferably near a window that can be cracked on cool, rainy days.

2. Pot the fern into new potting mix which has water retention properties. Make sure the ferns pot has drainage holes. Set this pot into a larger pot that does not leak water. Put a handful of 2inch rocks inside the outer pot so that the pot holding the fern will be elevated a little, and will not sit in the water it has just drained.

3. Place a larger, ornamental plate under all of this. Fill the plate with clear marbles, ornamental rocks or smooth river stones in a shallow layer. Fill this plate with water. It will provide passive humidity around your fern.

4. Water each week when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Only fertilize a few times during the year when the days are long. Keep a spray bottle right next to the fern filled with plain water so you can mist the fern every few days.