Fertilization. Ferns are relatively light feeders compared to many other foliage plants. They prefer a balanced fertilizer,
such as 20-10-20 or 20-20-20, with micronutrients applied at approximately 200 ppm nitrogen
. Too much nitrogen can cause tip burn on the roots and leaves if the plant becomes dry.
Do indoor ferns need feeding?
Although
regular fertilization is important
, indoor ferns don’t need heavy doses of fertilizer, which may scorch the leaves. Be sure to water well immediately after fertilizing indoor ferns; fertilizer is a strong chemical that may damage the roots when applied to dry soil.
Do indoor ferns need fertilizer?
Ferns require only
light feedings of fertilizer once a month from April through September
unless actively growing in winter months. Apply liquid houseplant fertilizer at about one-half the recommended rate. Too much fertilizer will scorch the foliage.
How do you keep ferns alive indoors?
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.
Can I use Miracle Grow on ferns?
Feed outdoor ferns with Miracle-Gro®
Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
and indoor ferns with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Prune when the plant looks scraggly or has dropped a lot of leaves. Provide indoor Boston ferns with additional humidity as needed.
What does Epsom salt do for ferns?
Ferns – Epsom salts work wonders on ferns as
a liquid fertilizer helping the leaves have a rich, deep dark green color
. Elephant ear plants are another plant which benefits from the extra magnesium. Apply as a drench mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.
Do ferns like coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are not good for ferns
. Using liquid coffee, used or fresh coffee grounds or any other coffee based product as fertilizer for your ferns will inhibit the growth of the plants. Coffee adds too much nitrogen to the soil for a fern. … Coffee lowers the pH value of the soil.
Do ferns need lots of water?
Along with a humid environment, ferns
require moist soil
. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist (but not soaking!) by giving the plant a small amount of water daily.
How can I make my ferns grow bigger?
- Repot the ferns into large planters or hanging baskets. The ferns we buy always come in the plastic hanging baskets. …
- Fertilize. Ferns don’t require much fertilizer… …
- Water frequently, but water the right way. …
- Cut off any brown fronds. …
- Choose the right light. …
- Rotate occasionally. …
- Don’t toss the metal basket!
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. … Don’t expect them to grow in complete darkness though; without enough light, their leaves can turn yellow and the plant won’t grow.
What does an overwatered fern look like?
The first sign that a fern is overwatered is usually
yellowing or wilted leaves
. … The weight of the pot is another indication that a fern needs water. If the soil is dry, the pot will feel very light. Hold off watering for a few days, then test the soil again.
Why do my indoor ferns keep dying?
Watering Indoor Ferns
Some ferns prefer very wet soil while others like less moisture, but all need good drainage and slightly dried out soil between watering. Too much water and the plant will develop
yellowing
or droopy fronds, a sign of root rot. Too little water, and the fern’s fronds will also begin to droop.
Why do my ferns keep dying?
The most common cause of a Boston Fern dying is
overwatering or persistently waterlogged conditions
. This results in root rot, that will quickly kill your plant. Low humidity, underwatering, overfertilizing, pests, or incorrect lighting can also lead to a decline or death of your plant over time.
What kind of pots do ferns like?
Both plastic and clay pots
are suitable for ferns, with those in plastic pots requiring less frequent watering. Pots should be large enough to accommodate the roots with an extra inch of space for further growth. Fern roots tend to be shallow, so short containers are best.
Do ferns like to be misted?
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love
being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water
unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.
What ferns take full sun?
Sun-tolerant ferns include
cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
which reaches heights of 24 to 36 inches and grows in USDA zones 2 through 10. Royal fern (Osmunda regalis), a large fern that grows to mature heights of 3 to 4 feet, is suitable for USDA zones 2 through 10.
