Ferns, with their delicate woodland magic, can seem a bit intimidating to grow. But if you've ever yearned for maidenhairs, bird's nests, and other whimsically-named ferns, this is the best time of year to welcome one into your home.
Winter's frequent rains, high humidity, and cloudy-but-bright skies are perfect for ferns. They love it, and will respond enthusiastically with dainty new fronds. Here are a few of their turn-ons and turn-offs to help get you started. Please note! I am not a plant-expert, merely a fern-enthusiast. I have 6 large ferns in my San Francisco apartment, most of which I've had for over 4 years. Flora Grubb always has an amazing fern selection, and the gardeners there will be able to tell you exactly what your new baby fern needs to thrive.
- Bright, filtered light Overcast days provide the ideal light- just remember that sunny summer weather has a tendency to show up randomly in San Francisco, so don't keep your ferns in a spot where they'll be burned if the sun breaks through the clouds.
- Fog & Mist Ferns always enjoy a good misting, even on the most humid days. They can't get enough! They especially love when you take hot showers or boil water.
- Winter in Summer When summer rolls around next year (we hope!), it's crucial to maintain these same conditions. On sunny days, white curtains filter light nicely. Without the constant rain, ferns will need more frequent misting & watering. One bright hot day can whither a thirsty plant, so constant vigilance is essential.
Image: Tess Wilson
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Ah, ferns. A best friend gave me one as Christmas gift. It died soon after. I misted, I put it in indirect light, I loved it. Nothing worked. I'm usually a green-thumb, but not with ferns apparently. One day I'll be brave and give it another shot.
I'm rubbish with house plants in general, but I will never stop trying! I think I may go buy some ferns to put along the window in my basement apartment (the window which currently looks out onto a dog run - weeds and poop mostly). Thanks for the inspiration.
I have no luck with ferns either. They're beautiful, but seem to be pretty fussy.
I *love* Maidenhair Ferns! I kill them all the time! :D (I'll try the misting).
Thanks for the helpful hints!
I love my maidenhair fern, too, but I've actually had really good luck. Mine grows like a weed! Seriously, too -- I need to cut it back pretty drastically every two or three months.
My ferns are happiest in a northern window, with moderate watering on a nearly-daily basis. When I get obsessive and mist them daily, they're even happier.
If you're looking for a cheater way to grow ferns, put them in a jar. Go to TJ Maxx, Ross or someplace and get a big, clear glass jar and plant them in it as a terrarium. My maidenhair has been growing happily without any attention from me for about six months now, not even any water.
It also has the added bonus of keeping my cats from eating the plant.
I have a ton of ferns and some are definitely fussier than others, Maidenhairs are the worst, squirrel foot seem to do the best, Boston ferns like north facing window and everything else does fine provided it's 6+ feet away from the south facing windows and gets water every couple of days.
Great tip Tiamat!
I love my maidenhair fern, but it's the most sensitive plant I've ever encountered. I've found that the way to keep one going is to dump a splash of water on it, no matter whether you think it needs it or not, every three or four days. They like it moist. Any dryness at all and they wither instantly.
That said, if they do wither, just cut off the dead stalks and start watering again. They're incredibly hardy. Mine's recovered from several near-death experiences where it was down to a couple sad, lonely fronds.
I have a very good green thumb but oddly enough when it comes to the majority of ferns(especially maidenhair, my favorite) I unfortunately kill them. I utilize all of the guidelines and 9 times out of 10 they still end up dying on me :(
Some plants are forgiving. They wilt and come back. Maidenhairs, however, are very intolerant of drying out. If by accident you forget to water -- you need to chalk it up to experience and buy a new one. Otherwise, I think they also appreciate a bit of fertilizer for foliage plants. I usually have to buy several replacements a year, though I do have one in a big pot in my vestibule that (touch wood) has been going for a number of years without having to be replaced.
Maidenhairs is for me one of the loveliest green house plants ever, but two days in my place and looks sad, four and it's dead.
If you want a fern that last and you never have direct sun light than your answer is Nephrolepis!
Ok, is not half as lovely but is not even a quarter so demanding. ;0)
A couple of my ferns are starting to spring into action, while others are going dormant.
Hare's foot is my absolute favorite - it's little wooly rhizomes creeping over the edges of the pot like a tarantula.
Would a humidity tray and daily misting supply enough moisture? If not, does anyone have tips on what might serve as a giant terrarium, if the fern outgrows the usual table-top size? Something affordable and a little less ugly than salvaged fishtank, I mean.
Last time I was at Flora Grubb, the resident fern fancier confessed he'd had little luck with keeping ferns indoors due to moisture issues. Exception: Bird's Nest Fern, which is great, but I'd really love to raise an indoor Lady Fern or even a Japanese Painted Fern, if possible. Opinions? Help? Bueller?
Sorry, rosenatti, Lady Ferns and Japanese Painted ferns go dormant and need freezing temps in the outdoors to survive. They'd never make it indoors. =(
=(
wow - glad to see i'm not the only fern-killer out there! some suggestions/comments have given me inspiration to give fern another try, not that we need anymore plants indoor right now though... hubby's not going to be happy about this, which is... perfect! :D