Ferns
Ferns are graceful and soft. Known as a challenge, with high reward. They add lushness and unbeatable texture to any room, as long as you provide them with enough light, water, and humidity. If you're not sure where to start, try an easier species such as Boston Ferns. These great ferns can be used as a hanging plant on your shaded porch for the summer, brought indoors with indirect bright light.
Once you get the hang of growing these plants in your home, you might even try taking on more finicky ones like maidenhair fern, which demand consistent moisture and high humidity.
Other ferns to try
Birds Nest Fern
Rabbit’s Foot Fern
Boston Fern
Crocodile Fern
Silver Brake Fern
Kangaroo Paw Fern
Button Fern
Light -
Indirect bright light - east facing windows or shaded south- and west-facing ones, or a few feet back from a unshaded south- or west-facing window.
Either closer to the window to absorb more indirect bright light but up to 6 ft away as long as you can still cast a shadow in the location will provide enough light. Keep an eye on how its being watered in these different locations.
Temperature & Humidity:
Tropical plants do best in a humid and slightly warm environment. They thrive best above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and they love a light misting of water.
If your plant gets too dry, it may begin to develop brown tips on its leaves. In the event that this happens, placing it next to a humidifier will help avoid further damage to the leaves.
Mist your ferns as often as practical, preferably in the morning.
If your fern gets too cold, it may suffer from shock and may even die. Ensure that you are placing this plant away from any drafty windows or A/C vents that could blow cold air onto your plant.
Water:
Water well. Check every 5-7 days.
Ensuring all excess water drains and plant is not sitting in any excess water. (Always recommend pots with drainage holes and saucers)
Ferns do not like to dry out completely. Water when top of 1 inch of soil is dry. Moist soil with humidity is loved by ferns, but soggy soil will cause rot.
Overwatering - can cause your plant to die, and wilted or soft leaves that have yellowed are often a sign of overwatering. It is preferable to keep your soil slightly moist, letting it dry out in between waterings and if in doubt let it dry out! Many different factors can change your watering schedule.
Sunlight and seasons affect how quickly a plant will drink water and you just adapt to those changes. That’s what makes it fun!
