QA

Question: How To Keep Maidenhair Fern Alive

Cut it fully back and water often and lots of it. Keep soil wet. Don’t let them be in a breeze ever, don’t have them somewhere they’ll be bumped, mist daily in summer and at least weekly in colder months. Keep soil moist but don’t let it sit in water.

Why does my maidenhair fern keep dying?

So, why is your maidenhair fern dying? Too much sunlight, temperatures above 75 or below 60 degrees F, low humidity, inconsistent moisture, over-fertilization and overcrowding are the major culprits. Ferns need indirect sunlight, moist soil, high humidity, and moderate temperatures to thrive.

How often do you water maidenhair?

He recommends starting with a base of well-draining soil mixed with peat moss and checking its moisture level every few days. Whenever the top of the soil feels even slightly dry, it’s time to water. This need for constant monitoring makes the Maidenhair a prime candidate for a self-watering pot.

Are maidenhair ferns hard to keep alive?

They’re considered hardy ferns, rather than ferns preferring steamier conditions, but don’t let the description fool you. Maidenhair ferns can be difficult to keep healthy indoors, as they’re quite particular about their growing conditions.

Should I mist maidenhair fern?

When growing maidenhair fern indoors, the plant prefers small containers and dislikes repotting. Maidenhair is also intolerant of low humidity or dry air from heating or cooling vents when grown in the home. Therefore, you will either need to mist the plant daily or set it on a water-filled pebble tray.

How do you keep ferns alive indoors?

Most ferns like an evenly moist soil with regular waterings. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings stresses these plants. Bushy ferns can be difficult to water. Try using a watering can with a long spout to direct the water to the center of the plant.

When should I water my maidenhair fern?

Your best bet when it comes to ensuring your maidenhair fern thrives is to focus on multiple water sources for this thirsty species. Consistently moist soil is a great place to start—from there, be sure to water your fern consistently, either daily or every other day, never allowing the soil to dry out.

What do I feed my maidenhair fern?

Make sure you back off the watering in winter, and if your fern is in a pot, always check that the pot isn’t sitting in a saucer of water. A self-watering pot could be a good idea. Feed fortnightly in spring and summer with diluted liquid fertiliser, then once in winter and once in autumn.

How do you grow maidenhair ferns from cuttings?

Maidenhair ferns can be propagated via division or from their spores. For higher chances of success and survival always propagate during the warmer months. Take an established plant and divide the root ball in half by gently ripping or cutting it. Don’t worry if a few leaves die off once the division is complete.

How do you fertilize a maidenhair fern?

Fertilize your maidenhair fern from spring through summer with a dilute houseplant fertilizer. If the soil is too dry, moisten with plain water first in order to avoid fertilizer burn because these plants have exceptionally fine roots.

Should ferns be in direct sunlight?

SUN LOVING FERNS can take direct sun for about 4 hours per day (morning, mid or afternoon) and filtered the rest of the day. These ferns thrive on LESS water which makes them easily adaptable to sunny locations.

How much sun do maidenhair ferns need?

Bright indirect light is best for this plant (400-800 foot-candles for most of the day), which comes from giving the plant the widest possible view of the open sky. An hour or two of direct sun is tolerable if you are keen on checking the soil moisture.

When should I repot my maidenhair fern?

Repot every three to six months. Maidenhair fern requires rich soil conditions to do well. This means that it’s important to repot them regularly. You’ll know it’s time to repot the fern when water quickly runs through the pot and you’re having to water more and more frequently.

How do you revive a dying fern?

To revive dying ferns, emulate the fern’s natural environment with higher levels of humidity, shade, and water the fern as often as required to ensure the soil is consistently moist. Cut back any brown, yellow or dying leaves to help stimulate new growth and revive the fern.

Why is adiantum called maidenhair fern?

– They are very different in appearance than the other plants. They have the drooping fern and the leaf segments are in the shape of the fan. They possess the wire like black stem with large and divided leaves. Hence it is called the maidenhair fern.

How often should I water my indoor fern?

A large fern may require watering daily, while a small fern in the bathroom – where the humidity is high – may require less frequent watering. The key is to water the fern before the soil dries, but to avoid soggy soil. This means good drainage is vital to the health of indoor ferns.

Can I put my fern in the bathroom?

Ferns are a great option for your bathroom, especially varieties like the bird’s nest fern. For this plant, high humidity is key, so your bathroom is basically the perfect location for it. They will also tolerate low light, but will do even better in a medium to bright indirect light location.

Why is my fern turning brown and crispy?

If you’re seeing brown leaves all over, your fern may not be getting enough moisture. Humidity is really important for ferns. If the air is too dry they’ll go crispy. If your fern is looking brown all over, try misting it more and see if it improves over the next few weeks.