Green-up Winter with Ferns

Why not become a Fern Mom or Dad? Don't panic. These tropicals aren't as difficult as it seems.

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With the cold and snow still keeping us housebound, that need for fresh green continues. Why not become a Fern Mom or Dad? Don’t panic. These tropicals aren’t as difficult as it seems. Just hang or set them on a pedestal in medium to low light (north for east facing windows), and follow a few simple rules.

Temperature

Keep room temperature between 65 to 75 degrees; 10 degrees cooler at night. Keep the soil consistently damp, not soggy. Reduce watering in the winter; they need to rest. Over watering causes fronds to yellow; under watering causes wilt.

Humidity

Place pots on a pebble-lined tray; add water but don’t let the pot bottom don’t touch the water. The evaporation adds humidity. Or double-pot, placing main containers in larger ones lined with sphagnum moss. Keep the moss moist, even wet. Or just put ferns in bathrooms for that constant humidity.

Mist them lightly. The warm air in houses dries them out.

Beginner ferns, ones that don’t need too much coddling:

  • Nephrolepis obliterata ‘Kimberly Queen’
  • Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Boston’
  • Nephrolepis obliterata ‘Medusa’
  • Sprengeri asparagus ‘Asparagus’
  • Cyrtomium falcatum ‘Holly’

Advanced ferns, ones that require a bit more fussing:

  • Adiantum raddianum ‘Maidenhair’
  • Platycerium bifurcatum ‘Staghorn’
  • Pteris cretica ‘Australian Brake Fern’

With foliage ranging in appearance from filigreed fingers to solid, sculpted leaves, ferns are a delight for winter interest inside the house.

We also carry The House Plant in our Garden Center; the book covers a wide variety of house plants including ferns.