I dare say that I’m a dab hand at indoor gardening.
Having spent years killing every orchid, cactus and money-plant that I was gifted, I seem to have found my way. Yet despite this, I’ve yet to have a fern survive my grasp.
Despite the fact that they thrive in the wild, decorating the forest floor with deep swathes of green, ferns are notoriously temperamental when kept as houseplants. There’s something quite endearing about that, that left to her own devices the fern will thrive, but when kept indoors, fed, watered and doted on by admirers she too often wilts.
That isn’t to say of course that you can’t keep a fern as a houseplant, simply that you have to keep her needs in mind. With that in mind, here are the basics of fern-care from which to build your skills:
The Best Location for Your Fern
Finding the right spot in your home for a houseplant is one of the most important ingredients for successful growing. This is particularly true of ferns.
When choosing a space for your houseplant, always consider where they are found in nature. Ferns dominate on the forest floor, under the shaded canopy of larger trees. In your home, choose a spot that receives only ambient light – not direct sunlight. Ferns also like a constant temperature, preferably around 21℃. So, place them away from entrance ways or windows where there is likely to be temperature fluctuation.
How To Water and Feed Your Fern
For ferns to prosper, they need a moist environment. Water your fern, daily if needed, in order to keep the soil damp.
We recommend waiting at least 4-6 months after bringing your fern home before feeding it; this is to let the plant settle into its environment. While there are plant feeds specifically for ferns, any houseplant feed will do, simply create a weaker dose by halving the dosage instructions. Ferns need to be fed monthly during their growing period (spring and summer) and every other month during autumn and winter.
Ferns and Humidity
One of the reasons that ferns are found in forest settings is due to the higher levels of humidity. While most of us don’t want a humid home, there are ways to recreate this environment for the fern without sacrificing on your own comfort.
1. Daily mist.
One of the easiest options to create a humid atmosphere for your fern is to mist the fern daily using a spray bottle. Spray the air above the fern so that it lightly settles over the leaves.
2. Pebble bath.
A lower maintenance option is to place your fern on a tray of pebbles which has been filled with water. Throughout the day the water will evaporate and raise the level of humidity around the fern, this option isn’t ideal if you have small children or pets in the home, but has the benefit of not needing daily input.
3. Double potting.
An attractive option for creating humidity, though one that requires additional resources, double-potting creates humidity around the base of the fern. Place your fern pot inside a larger pot, and stuff the gap between the two with moss. Ensure that a layer of moss stretches between the top of the two pots so that moisture can wick from the outer pot under the canopy of the fern. Fill the now-mossy gap between pots with water and top up as needed.
4. Electric humidifier.
An option for those with many ferns, or who want to add additional humidity into their home, the electric humidifier is another alternative to consider. Place the humidifier near your ferns and they will benefit from the increased moisture in the air.
Do you have any tried and tested tips for growing ferns indoors? We’d love to hear them – let us know!