Keep the humidity high in close range of your fern.<\/strong> High air moisture levels are the best for tropical ferns. There are three ways to create high humidity levels: double pot your fern, keep your fern on a tray full of water, or add an electric humidifier in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTo double pot your fern, select another pot a bit bigger than the current pot your ferns are planted in. Fill the new pot with wet moss, and then place the second original pot with the fern inside it. Cover the top of the soil and the rim of the original pot with more wet moss and water every few days to keep it moist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Put your potted fern on a tray or saucer full of small stones or pebbles and fill the tray up to just under the stones’ surface with water. The water will evaporate and moisten the fern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you use a humidifier, place it in close proximity to your fern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Remember to mist your fern with a spray bottle filled with lukewarm distilled water on a daily basis. Aim the spray in the air above the fern to let it settle on the leaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Start Growing Ferns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Popular types of ferns for a garden should always be planted in a partly shaded area and in rich organic soil that is both wet and well-drained. Arranging the ferns should depend on the variety \u2013 some are mat-forming meaning they will quickly spread to form a blanket and cover an area, while others are self-contained and separated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most important rule for most ferns is to always keep them moist. There are a lot of ferns that are so easy to grow that they can become an annoyance by spreading where you don’t want them to. Also, watch for damage from slugs throughout the seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Light<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most ferns prefer a <\/strong>shady <\/strong>location<\/strong>, but not deep dark shade. The splattering of shade provided by tree branches are best. Think about how ferns in the forest and try to imitate that in your yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFerns can stand up to a little direct sunlight, but the more they get, the more watering you need to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only a few fern varieties like the ostrich fern will handle hot and dry regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most ferns prefer a humidity, but they have a good tolerance for heat. There is likely a fern that can adapt to every climate, keeping in mind soil requirements and humidity needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Repotting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When growing ferns in your home, choose tropical types. Rather than typical potting soil, these ferns will grow better in a richer medium commercially mixed soil with some compost, peat moss, and sand. Repotting <\/strong>will be<\/strong> necessary when <\/strong>a fern<\/strong> begins to <\/strong>get tight in<\/strong> its container<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nPropagation from Spores<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You can collect fern spores but wait until they get dark and begin to fall off the fronds, as they are ripe. An easy way to check this is to cut off a frond when its spores are beginning to get dark. Leave the frond on a piece of paper and wait for the spores to fall. Make sure they are fully mature and fall on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fill another container with moistened potting mix designed for ferns. Shake the spores off the paper directly into the mix and press with your thumb so the spores make good contact with the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spray mist the potting mix, moistening the spores to keep them in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cover your container with some plastic wrap and place it in a tray with a couple inches of water. Move it to a warm location with indirect sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Replenish the water until you see signs of growth, somewhere between 6 and 12 weeks, be patient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they germinate you will see small heart-shaped shoots, called prothalli<\/em>. These should be gently moved out of the container and into individual small pots with damp, sterile fern potting mix. Leave the new shoots uncovered andmoist.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSoon the prothalli will begin developing fronds and they can be slowly pulled and planted outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Propagation from Stolons <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another way to propagate ferns is by planting the stolons<\/em> \u2013 these long stringy pieces growing from your fern. These are the runners, and you can germinate ferns by layering them directly on the soil.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSecure the stolons in the soil using a staple or a small rock. Keep them moist and, in a few weeks, the they will root and send up new fern growth. Then, cut the stolen from the parent plant. This new baby can now be transplanted to a different location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Propagating by Division<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When fronds get smaller, or if you notice an empty area, it is time to divide them. While some ferns make visible crowns, others grow as mats of root fibers. To divide them, first dig up the whole chunk and cut six-inch squares of thegrowth. Each section should have one growth tip where fronds are sprouting, to start replanting at the same depth as the original and water them completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Maintain Your Ferns<\/h2>\n\n\n\nIndoor Ferns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Most indoor species of ferns are tropical, meaning they like homes, not the real tropics. Make sure that the temperature near your fern is around 70 \u00b0F. Ferns can handle temperatures as low as 60, but they won\u2019t hang in there for long in low temperatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think about placing your ferns by a window inside your bathroom, as the temperature and humidity are often perfect for ferns from showers and baths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferns <\/strong>prefer<\/strong> a humid <\/strong>environment<\/strong>, but they also like wet soil as well. Make sure that your fern\u2019s potting mix is always damp, but never soggy. It is better to water a small amount daily, than heavy amounts sporadically. To find out whether or not your fern needs water, check the soil dampness before watering with your finger.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOver time, almost any fern will outgrow the pot in which it was first planted. The time between transplants can vary depending on the health of your plant but will likely need to repot as early as 6 months after starting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outdoor Ferns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ferns already growing in your garden likely won\u2019t need to move unless they\u2019re looking unhealthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferns will do well outside if under a canopy of a few other larger plants or trees. Plant ferns into a space that gets northern sun but not a direct sunlight. If your ferns are left in an area that has direct sunlight, it is likely that their leaves could burn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you live in an arid climate zone, you\u2019ll probably need to water your ferns daily so that your soil is kept moist. Adding a thick layer of pine needles or leaf mulch on the top of your fern soil, about 2\u20133 inches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This mulch will help lock in moisture and keep the evaporation low, so that the air near the ferns is even a bit more humid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six months after the original planting, you can begin fertilizing the ferns for added growth. Select an organic fertilizer that is a spray-on type and apply it to the new ferns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, you can add a layer of compost and mulch to the soil to make a moist growing environment for the ferns. But,keep in mind that ferns require much less fertilizer than other plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferns don\u2019t have many predators outdoors, except for slugs and some uncommon diseases. If, however, you notice that your fern has unhealthy fronds, use some shears to cut them back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will keep the character of the plant and prevent it from spreading to other plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tips for Healthy Ferns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n- Most ferns like indirect light from a north window or, in summertime they like the filtered splatters of light from an eastern window. Do not put your ferns in windows that face either the west or south because they can become much too hot.<\/li>
- Keep in mind that many ferns originate in the tropics, where the humidity can reach 70 percent or more. Typical homes in the United States are much drier, even more so when the furnace heat is running in the winter. You can tell if your fern is too dry by looking at the tips of its fronds and see if they are about to turn brown or die. You can easily increase the moisture in the air surrounding your ferns by putting your ferns on top of some small stones or pebbles in a tray or saucer filled with a little water. Make sure not to let the plant touch the water, and then its roots won’t rot.<\/li>
- Spray misting your fern is another good option for humidity. Use room temperature water and mist around the plant \u2013 not directly on the leaves, which could cause diseases. Depending on the time of year, you could mix in a very small amount of liquid fertilizer with your water as well but check with a local nursery first for the correct amounts.<\/li>
- You can group ferns with other types of houseplants together, and this can help to raise the humidity, alternatively you can keep your plant in the bathroom or near the window to get the steam from your shower or bath.<\/li>
- While most ferns prefer to stay evenly moist throughout, don\u2019t water them too much and let them get soggy. Water them until the water drains out the bottom of the container and then dump any excess water out.<\/li>
- Make sure your fern is in a location where it has good air circulation.<\/li>
- If scale, slugs, mealybugs, mites or other pests show up, knock them off with a spray of room temperature water in the sink or shower. Another supposed solution is to soak cigarette butts in a spray bottle for bugs, as the nicotine is a strong repellant<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Best Varieties of Ferns for Your Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Boston fern, <\/strong>often called a ladder fern, was prominent with Victorian gardeners as well as today. It\u2019s also considered one of the most effective plants for removing air pollution. Give these ferns lots of morning sun, pot them in hanging baskets or put them up and sit them on shelves for their long, drooping leaves, or fronds, can hang down and they look great. If your home is overly dry, expect the fern to drop their brown leaves and make a mess. To avoid this, make sure to give them plenty of humidity and keep them away from heating ducts and air vents.
Bird\u2019s nest <\/strong>is an easy to-care-for fern. Its strap-like, leathery fronds spring up coiled up from the center of the fern. As they uncoil, they create a bird\u2019s nest shape. While these are slow growing, this type of fern can reach 6-7 feet high in a large grow room or outdoors, but usually stays around 1-2 feet tall when inside a home. This fern can tolerate less humidity than most ferns and will forgive you if you once in a while forget to water.
Button fern<\/strong> is another easy-to-grow beautiful fern. Originating in New Zealand, it adapts well to typical home conditions. It gets its name from the small, round \u201cbuttons\u201d or leaflets on its thin stems. This fern needs moderate to high humidity. While it only grows just 12-18 inches tall, this makes it a good choice for gardeners without much room.
Maidenhair fern <\/strong>deserves a spot on this list because of its lace-like, light foliage and thin, black stems, but it needs constant attention with moisture maintenance and can be somewhat tricky to grow indoors. If the fern is allowed to dry out, its fronds tend to wilt and then die off. But, unless you’ve forgotten to water it for so long that the entire plant is dried out and dies, it will sooner or later grow some new shoots. For the best results, grow these ferns inside real terrariums, which provide the best high humidity environment they crave.
Silver Brake<\/strong> is a low maintenance fern with attractive, silver stripes on its leaves. These ferns grow about 2 feet in circumference and are beautiful in pots or in hanging baskets. They like daytime temperatures from 68-72 F degrees, and they prefer a drop to around 50-55 at night.
Kangaroo paw <\/strong>is originally from western Australia and it grows roughly 2 feet tall, with long, uniquely shaped fronds that spill down the sides of its container. Kangaroo ferns can bloom outdoors in spring and summer, but if you have the right conditions, you get a surprise with blooms almost anytime.<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lush green ferns can really make a house or apartment feel closer to the outdoors and Mother Earth, and they are a great way to bring life into an otherwise inanimate room. In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to become a fern expert and watch them grow tall […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":484,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=482"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":483,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/482\/revisions\/483"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=482"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=482"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/planetrenewed.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=482"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}