How to Care for Fern Plants

Caring for newly planted ferns is never an easy task, especially when you're uncertain about their specific needs or preferences. Ferns are beautiful, hardy plants that thrive in warm, humid environments, both indoors and outdoors. There are many species of ferns, but in general, their requirements are the same: water, humidity, and shade. As long as you place your fern in the right spot and give it the attention it needs, your fern will grow to its full potential and continue thriving for many years (seriously – some ferns can live for over a century!).

Plant your fern in well-draining, loose soil. When selecting a container for your indoor fern, opt for a clay or ceramic pot with drainage holes at the bottom. Fill the pot halfway with loose soil, then cover the roots with more soil. Ensure the fern's leaves remain above the soil surface to allow for proper growth.

• You can buy loose soil mixes for plants at most gardening stores. Typically, these mixes include organic compost or manure to create air pockets in the soil.
• The amount of soil needed will depend on the size of the pot. It's better to use a larger pot initially, so you won't need to repot the plant frequently.
• You can also grow ferns in hanging pots.

Place your fern in indirect sunlight. Choose a spot in your home that does not receive direct sunlight all day but is close enough to a window to allow the plant to absorb some natural light (north-facing windows are typically the best). Position the fern slightly away from the window to prevent overheating.

• If you notice the fern's leaves turning brown or becoming dry and brittle, it might be getting too much sun. Try moving the plant to a different location or away from the window for a while to see if it helps.

Place a humidifier near your fern. Ferns thrive in high humidity as it mirrors their natural environment. It’s best to position a humidifier near your fern to maintain moisture and keep it healthy. Aim for a humidity level between 30% - 50% indoors (ferns typically grow in 70% humidity in the wild, but this is often hard to achieve indoors).

• While misting the fern is sometimes recommended, using a humidifier is far easier and more effective.

Maintain a temperature range of 16-22°C. Most indoor ferns are tropical plants, though not all of them require a tropical climate. Ensure that the temperature indoors (at least in the room where the fern is placed) is around 21°C during the day and 16°C at night. Ferns will not grow well if the temperature falls below this range, so increase the temperature if you’re unsure.

• Consider placing your fern near a bathroom window where it can stay warm and humid with little maintenance.

Water the fern when the soil feels dry. Ferns enjoy both humid air and moist soil. It’s essential to keep the soil consistently damp (but not waterlogged). Water thoroughly so that the soil is wet, allowing the water to reach the roots.

• Always use water that is lukewarm or at room temperature, not cold. Cold water can shock the fern’s roots, as they are accustomed to the warm conditions of the tropical environment.
• If you live in a dry climate, place the pot on a saucer with pebbles and water. Mist the plant regularly to increase humidity around the fern.

Fertilize the plant once a month from April to September. Ferns do not need frequent fertilizing; in fact, over-fertilizing can harm the plant. You should dilute liquid fertilizer for houseplants by half and apply it to the soil once a month during the growing season of the fern.

• Fertilizers for houseplants are rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are essential nutrients for fern growth.
• You can also use fish emulsion as an alternative to regular fertilizers.

Remove dead branches and leaves. Indoor ferns can occasionally be affected by various diseases, but they are generally quite resilient and difficult to kill. If you notice the leaves turning brown or wilting, use a pair of pruning shears to cut away the damaged parts. If the fern begins to decline due to neglect, you can also use pruning shears to address the issue. If the entire fern turns brown and brittle, it’s best to dispose of it to prevent the problem from spreading to other plants in your home.

• You can tell the fern's leaves are dying when they turn brown or curl up.

Repot your fern every few years. Every 1-2 years, it's a good idea to move your fern to a larger pot. Gently flip the pot upside down, tap on the surface to loosen the plant, and then place it into a new container.

• Ferns grow at different rates depending on the species. In general, newly potted ferns will need to be repotted again after 6 months to a year.

Plant ferns in a location with full or partial shade. Ferns grow best in shaded environments where they receive just the right amount of sunlight filtered through tree canopies. If planting ferns in a garden, choose a spot that stays relatively shaded throughout the day to protect the plant from sunburn.

• If the fern is already growing in your garden, you likely won’t need to move it.
• Ferns are excellent for planting on slopes to help prevent soil erosion. With their deep root systems, they can thrive for decades, stabilizing the soil around them.

Water the fern 1-2 times a week if it hasn't rained. Ferns require consistent moisture and naturally thrive in humid environments. However, if it’s dry and there is no rain, you will need to water the fern once or twice a week to keep it healthy. Water at the base of the plant, avoiding getting the leaves wet to prevent damage.

• If you are growing ferns in temperate or tropical rainforests, they can often survive without supplemental watering.

Cut off damaged leaves. Ferns don’t have many natural predators, except for slugs and a few rare diseases. However, if you notice wilting or diseased leaves, it’s best to use pruning shears to remove them. This will protect the healthy parts of the plant and, if the plant is sick, prevent the disease from spreading to others.

Divide the fern if you want to plant new ones elsewhere. Ferns can grow into large clumps. To divide them into smaller ferns, you’ll need to dig up the entire plant, including its roots, and then plant each section in separate spots in the garden, allowing enough space for growth.

• The best time to divide and transplant ferns outdoors is after the first frost, typically in October or November.