How Long Does A Fern Plant Live?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Lifespan of fern depends on the species. Some types of ferns can live

up to 100 years

.

How do you keep ferns alive?


Mist your ferns

as often as practical, preferably in the morning. Keep a spray bottle handy and train your family members to use it whenever they pass by the fern. Stand the pot on a tray of pebbles or clay granules and keep those wet. This increases the humidity around the plant without keeping the roots soggy.

Do ferns come back every year?

Ferns are

perennial

plants, those that live for many years. Annual plants are the ones you have to replant every year.

Can a fern plant live indoors?

Because indoor ferns

are tropical

, they will grow best if the temperature is at least 65 degrees F during the daytime and around ten degrees cooler at night. Ferns should be grown in a potting mix that provides good drainage and is high in organic matter.

What happens when a fern plant dies?

Most ferns require moist but not soggy soil. … Dig up the roots and examine them if the fern still fails to produce new growth. If the roots appear healthy and living, then the fern may need more time to put forth a new flush of fronds.

Roots that are either rotten and soft or dry and brittle indicate the fern has died

.

Do ferns multiply?

Ferns are vascular plants that don’t reproduce by seeds, although

they multiply by producing spores

. On the underside of the fronds, or leaves, are dark, spore-producing structures called sporangia. When spores mature within the sporangia, they are released. … Fertilized eggs form zygotes, which in turn make plants.

Can ferns stay outside in winter?

Ferns grown in

containers outdoors may survive the winter in very cold climates

if you bring them indoors. … Indoors, give your fern a medium level of indirect light, no additional fertilizer and a bit less water than you gave it during the growing season outdoors.

Do ferns attract bugs?

Indoor plants that do better in high humidity conditions or like a lot of water will definitely attract more bugs than the ones mentioned above. Some

high humidity lovers

that can attract bugs: Ferns.

Where should I place a fern in my house?

The best place for ferns is in a

south-facing or north-facing window

; if you want to place them near an east-facing or west-facing window, keep them a few feet away from the window to avoid burning the leaves. You don’t need a bright light in your house to grow ferns.

Do ferns need sunlight?

Most

ferns prefer indirect light

, which means you should avoid placing them where sunlight will hit them—their leaves can get scorched if you do, resulting in a dry, crispy plant. … If your ferns can’t get enough natural light in your home, try using a grow light on them for a few hours a day to supplement.

Why does my fern keep dying?

Ferns like moist soil, but not wet or soggy.

Dry soil can cause wilting

and eventual drying out, while wet soil causes yellowing and may result in root rot. When temperatures are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit you may have to water frequently to keep the soil moist to touch.

Can you overwater a fern?

Overwatering causes the

fronds to yellow and wilt

and may eventually lead to root rot and fungal diseases, especially if the pot is allowed to sit in water. Too little water also causes wilt. … But you also can increase humidity around the ferns by placing the pots on a pebble-lined tray.

Can I bring my fern back to life?

Dig up your fern and add organic material or compost to the hole if you have clay soil that that doesn’t drain well. Replace the fern,

water it

well and give it a few weeks to bounce back. Transplant the fern if it currently grows in direct sunlight and has browned leaflets or fronds.

Do ferns spread fast?


Most ferns spread quickly

, and some grow quite large. Know their habits, sizes, and spreads before planting. … Ferns generally require rich, moist soil with extra organic matter, but some prefer drier, less fertile soil.

Do ferns spread?

Like other perennial plants, you can divide ferns in spring or fall. Keep the new divisions well-watered until plants are established. Some ferns

spread by underground runners

, which can be helpful in places where you want a groundcover, but unwelcome in an orderly, formal planting.

How do you tell if a fern is male or female?

Scientists previously knew that the factor that determines which sex a specific fern will end up as is a hormone called gibberellin. If the hormone is present in large enough quantities as the plant develops,

the fern usually becomes a male

, and if it isn’t, it becomes a female.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.