How to care for your ferns: Tips, tricks, and must-knows
What's the story
Ferns are a favorite among plant lovers for their beautiful, green foliage and adaptability to different surroundings.
However, caring for ferns involves a fair bit of attention to detail to keep them healthy and thriving.
Knowing the specific requirements of these plants can make all the difference to their growth and longevity.
Here are five must-know fern care tips for every plant lover.
Humidity
Provide adequate humidity
Ferns thrive in humid environments, so it's important to keep humidity levels high around them.
Ideally, you should aim for a humidity level of 50% or more.
You can do this by regularly misting the leaves or keeping a humidifier nearby.
Alternatively, grouping ferns together or keeping them on a tray filled with water and pebbles can help increase humidity levels naturally.
Watering
Ensure proper watering techniques
Watering is critical for fern health but needs to be balanced.
Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering may dry the leaves out and turn them brown.
It's best to keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy.
Check the top inch of soil; if it feels dry, it's time to water your fern thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot.
Soil mix
Choose suitable soil mix
The right soil mix is essential for ferns as it impacts drainage and availability of nutrients.
A well-draining potting mix that retains some moisture does best for most ferns.
You may also use a mix containing peat moss, perlite, and pine bark for best results.
This mixture ensures good aeration while retaining sufficient moisture for healthy growth.
Light exposure
Provide indirect light exposure
Ferns love indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch their delicate fronds.
Place your fern close to a window with filtered light, or in a place that gets bright but indirect sunlight throughout the day.
If natural light is limited, you can also use fluorescent lights, placed an appropriate distance from your plant.
Pruning
Regularly prune dead fronds
Regular pruning keeps your fern looking its best and promotes new growth by removing dead or damaged fronds in a timely manner.
Use clean scissors or pruning shears to cut back these parts close to their base without harming healthy foliage around it.
This practice also promotes better air circulation within dense foliage clusters.