How to Water Tree Ferns

Tree ferns are found growing all over the world.

Tree ferns are indoor and outdoor plants. Ferns can be tricky plants to tend to, but with a little guidance, a tree fern can survive for many years. As with all plants, the tree fern requires water to survive. Properly watering your tree fern will help to ensure that it stays healthy and has the ability to grow. Tree ferns are low maintenance and do not require much attention.

Things You'll Need

• Water purifier

Instructions

1. Filter about 1/2 gallon of water through a water purifier or purchase purified water. The chlorine in tap water might damage the tree tern and eventually kill the plant. Depending on the size of the plant, you may need to use more or less water.

2. Stand directly over the tree fern and locate the fern's crown. The crown is the top part of the fern's trunk.

3. Pour the purified water over the fern's crown, slowly, so that the water slowly runs down the fern's trunk.

4. Pour the water until it surrounds the fern's trunk along the soil. Allow it to create a small puddle, a few inches wide, around the trunk. Gauge the amount of water needed by watching the puddle form around the fern's base. If the plant is indoors, gauge the water by watching the plant's catch tray that sits under the pot. Water should settle into the tray without flowing over and out of the tray.

5. Water the fern a few times a week for a young fern and one to two times a week for an older fern.

Tips & Warnings

• Spray the fern's trunk with water on hot days.

• Avoid watering on cold days, or water only once a week during cold weather.

References

• Ferntastic: How to Care for Your New Fern
• Tropical Centre: Information and Treatment for Your Tree Ferns
• Garden Advice: Caring for Tree Ferns