How to Prune Ferns
The fronds of a fern, or the leafy stems extending from the fern’s trunk, can grow quickly and in just about any direction. Old growth tends to be deprived of nutrients and sunlight due to aggressive new growth. For this reason, pruning is necessary to maintain a healthy plant. The process for pruning ferns essentially consists of removing dead growth and pruning back for size.
Cut yellow or brown fronds at any point in the year. Usually, yellow or brown fronds occur because new growth shades old growth and causes it to die. Use a pair of pruning shears and cut the frond off at the base of the plant.
- The fronds of a fern, or the leafy stems extending from the fern’s trunk, can grow quickly and in just about any direction.
Look for leafless strands of fronds extending from the fern. If you locate any, cut them off at the base of the plant with the shears.
Trim the fern to maintain your desired shape during the spring or summer months. Ferns respond well to aggressive pruning and will grow back healthier and larger. Focus on shaping the sides of the fern and not the top of the fern. Cut back the leaves to a manageable length.
Remove undergrowth and dead leaves from around the trunk of the plant when you aggressively prune. This will allow air to flow through the stem system of the plant.
- Look for leafless strands of fronds extending from the fern.
- Remove undergrowth and dead leaves from around the trunk of the plant when you aggressively prune.
Ferns Need To Be Pruned?
Ferns such as sword ferns (Polysitchum munitum), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8, retain their fronds year-round. As the outer fronds age, they turn brown at the edges and can detract from the appearance of the plant. You can lightly prune deciduous ferns throughout the growing season to remove broken fronds or to control the size of the plant. If you find your indoor fern's fronds frequently die back, check the soil. The faded fronds on indoor ferns can be trimmed back any time of year, regardless of weather conditions. With outdoor ferns, do light pruning on a cool, cloudy day and avoid pruning ferns on hot, dry days.
Related Articles
References
- Gardening KnowHow; Pruning Boston Fern -- How and When to Prune Boston Fern; Nikki Phipps
- The New Western Sunset Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Editor
- University of Georgia: Growing Ferns
- Oregon State University Extension Service: How to Keep Indoor Potted House Ferns Healthy
