Ferns are common as houseplants and garden plants. Ferns have existed since ancient times and have evolved into countless varieties. Although the apparent vegetation density of each species is different, their needs and maintenance methods are similar. Ferns are generally vigorous and easy to care for. With a little care and attention, they will grow more beautiful and lush.
How to Care for Indoor Potted Ferns
Choose the right location. Ferns prefer shade and diffused light to direct light. Therefore, place them near a north-facing window rather than an east- or west-facing window that receives direct sunlight. If there is no north-facing window, place it near a south-facing window. Don’t place the fern too close to a window so it can get more diffuse light.
Place the fern in an environment with high humidity. Ferns love moisture, so it’s best to plant them in an environment with high humidity. Here are three ways to increase ambient humidity: Place a flower pot outside the pot with the fern; Place the pot with the fern on a tray filled with water; Install it where the fern is place a humidifier in the space.
- If you want to put another flower pot outside the flower pot where ferns are planted, you have to choose a larger flower pot. First put the water-soaked moss into a larger flower pot, then put the flower pot with ferns in it, and then use the moss to cover the soil surface and the edges of the pot. To keep the moss moist, water it thoroughly with water every few days.
- You can also fill a tray with pebbles, pour water into the tray until the water level is just below the surface of the pebbles, and then place the fern pot on top of the tray. In this way, as long as the water evaporates, it can increase the air humidity in the space where the fern is located.
- To create the best growing environment for your fern, place a humidifier next to it.
- Once a day, fill a spray bottle with lukewarm distilled water and spray from above the fern, letting mist droplets fall on the leaves. Be careful not to spray directly on the leaves.
Keep the temperature constant. Although the vast majority of indoor potted ferns are tropical, not all ferns are suitable for tropical climates. Make sure the temperature in your home or space where the fern is located is around 21 degrees Celsius. Although ferns can tolerate temperatures as low as 16 degrees Celsius, they do not grow well at low temperatures. So if you’re concerned about the temperature, you might as well just turn it up a little higher.
- Place ferns next to your bathroom windows. Because people often take baths in the bathroom, the temperature and humidity in this location are relatively high.
Water regularly. Ferns like moist conditions and prefer moist soil, so make sure the soil in which your ferns are grown is always moist, but not saturated with water. This means that you should not water a lot when you think of it, but you should water a little every day. Before watering, check whether the soil is dry or wet to determine whether watering is needed.
Fertilize your ferns once a month. You can buy special fertilizer for indoor ferns at your local garden center. If you have any questions, please consult the store clerk. To replenish the missing nutrients in the potting soil, fertilize your fern once a month. However, if it is a newly planted fern, wait until at least 6 months before fertilizing.
Cut off diseased or necrotic parts. Although indoor potted ferns are tenacious and disease-resistant, they will inevitably get sick. If local lesions occur, the diseased parts must be cut off promptly. If your fern is dying due to neglect, use scissors to cut off the dead parts. If the entire plant is diseased, it is best to remove it to avoid infecting other plants.
Wait at least a year before repotting. Given enough time, the ferns will outgrow the pot. When to repot depends on how well they are growing. However, if you have just planted it in a flower pot, it is best to wait until 6 months before changing to a larger pot.
How to Care for Outdoor Ferns
Choose an appropriate planting site. If the fern is already planted in the garden, there is no need to move it unless it grows poorly. Ferns like shade and moisture, and tend to grow well under large shrubs or tree canopies. It is a good idea to plant or transplant the fern to a location facing north where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight. Fern leaves can burn if exposed to direct sunlight.
The soil remains moist. If it doesn’t rain often in your area, you’ll need to water it every day to keep the soil moist. You may wish to cover the soil with a layer of pine needles or mulch 5 to 8 cm thick. This will help retain moisture and reduce the evaporation rate, making the environment around the fern more humid.
Fertilize your ferns once a month. Fertilizer can be applied 6 months after ferns are planted, which will help their growth. Choose an organic fern-specific fertilizer and apply it according to the instructions on the instructions. In addition, to create a better environment for ferns to grow, add a layer of compost or mulch to the soil. Note: Ferns require less fertilizer than other common houseplants.
Cut off bad leaves. Aside from slugs and one or two uncommon diseases, ferns have little to worry about outdoors. However, once you find bad or diseased leaves, cut them off immediately with garden scissors to avoid infecting other parts. In addition, this will prevent pests and diseases from spreading to other plants.
Repot as needed. Over time, ferns will inevitably grow too large, and they need to be divided and repotted. Ferns grow in clumps and are easy to divide. Here’s how to divide the ferns: Carefully dig up the ferns by the roots, then divide the large clump into several smaller plants, plant each one individually, and water it well.
Tips
- If you notice small black spots on the backs of fern leaves, don’t worry. These little black dots are called spores. Ferns reproduce through spores.
- Ferns that are growing well can be divided every 2 to 3 years.
- Direct or constant exposure to sunlight can cause fern leaves to wilt or brown.
- Keep indoor ferns away from facilities that could dry them out, such as air conditioning vents.
- Scale insects, mealybugs, and mites all like to live on ferns. It is not recommended to use pesticides to get rid of insects. It is better to shake the branches and leaves to make the insects fall off or catch them by hand.