how do you care for an outdoor fern

Caring for Outdoor Ferns

1. Plant the ferns in full to partial shade. Ferns thrive in shady environments where they get just enough sunlight...
2. Water your ferns once or twice a week if it isn’t raining. Ferns need regular moisture, and they can get it on their...
3. Cut back damaged fronds. Ferns don’t have many natural predators outdoors, other than slugs and one or...

Full Answer

How to care for outdoor ferns in pots?

Other key aspects of outdoor fern care in pots are to protect against temperature stresses, feed the fern when the soil becomes exhausted, and divide and repot once the plant is root-bound. With these few steps, outdoor potted ferns can thrive, and add a stylish accent to a porch, deck or courtyard.

How do you take care of Boston ferns?

Boston fern outdoors requires plenty of water and isn’t drought-tolerant. Provide enough water to keep the soil consistently moist, but never allow the soil to remain soggy or waterlogged.

How often should I water my outdoor ferns?

Outdoor ferns usually like shaded areas where the soil is always moist. However, they can handle full sun as long as the place they grow is damp. When watering, keep to around 1 to 2 inches of water a week. It can vary as your soil type can have different drainage properties.

What do you need to know before starting a fern garden?

Here's what you need to know to start your own fern garden. How to Care for Ferns Although ferns come in many shapes, sizes and textures, their care requirements are similar across the board. If planted in the right conditions, ferns can be a full and foliage-forward addition to landscaping. Light: Ferns prefer a dappled shade canopy.

How do you keep ferns alive outside?

Ferns prefer bright, indirect light. A few hours of morning sun or gently filtered light through the cover of trees is the perfect scenario. Avoid direct sunlight that can burn a fern's more delicate fronds, especially during the hot summer months.

How often do outdoor ferns need to be watered?

Outdoor ferns typically prefer a shaded area where the soil remains moist. As a rule, they prefer 1 to 2 inches of water a week, but this also depends on the soil and the growth rate. Ferns grown in light, sandy soil require more frequent watering than those grown in dense clay soil.

How often should you water a fern?

Hanging Ferns make wonderful houseplants and they are easy to maintain, providing you focus on getting the watering right. This is much easier than you might think it is. It is best to water hanging ferns 2-3 times per week.

Do ferns do well outside?

Ferns will grow where other plants fail to thrive and most do well in rich, well-drained soil with an abundance of organic matter. Planting a fern garden outdoors requires minimal attention other than regular mulching and water during very dry periods.

Why are the tips of my fern turning brown?

You may see brown tips on garden ferns if the soil becomes too dry. When it feels dry to touch, water slowly and deeply. Stop watering when the water runs off instead of sinking into the soil. The water will run off quickly if the soil is compacted.

What does Epsom salt do for ferns?

They help in chlorophyll production, healthy plant growth, and resistance against diseases and pest. Both of them are required if you want to grow Lush and Green Ferns.

Should I cut the dead leaves off my fern?

Ferns have fronds, rather than leaves, which last for only a year or so. The older fronds start to die back and turn brown while the new ones grow in. Cutting off the old growth will refresh the plant and leave you with only beautiful new fronds.

Do ferns prefer sun or shade?

Ferns are a natural inhabitant of shady areas, most commonly found where they will get at least some sun during part of the day or where they will receive dappled sunlight most of the day. In fact most ferns will not grow that well in real dense shade, they need a bit of sun to grow their best.

What does an overwatered fern look like?

Leaves start to turn brown. Very quickly the leaves will develop a mushy texture. Leaf edges have a noticeably crisp feel to them. Tips of the leaves will start to become brown.

Can ferns stay outside in winter?

Ferns grown in containers outdoors may survive the winter in very cold climates if you bring them indoors.

Where do ferns grow best outside?

Tips for outdoor ferns: Therefore, it is best to plant the fern plants in the shady areas of your garden. Let the place be mildly shady but not completely shaded. Ideal shades would be those from the tall trees creating a woodland feel with filtered light. Ferns like maidenhair grow well in dappled shade.

Should you mist ferns?

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 you overwater ferns?

Ferns that are getting too much water may cause yellowed foliage, wilting, or eventually, root problems or fungal diseases. Underwatering will cause your ferns to wilt. Boston ferns are especially likely to drop leaves when they don't get enough water.

Do ferns need a lot of sun?

Shade. Most ferns grow best in full or dappled shade. Adequate shade will produce lush, dark green foliage. We recommend 65% to 75% shade, depending on your location.

Can ferns grow in pots outside?

Growing ferns in pots is also possible. You can grow it with other plants or you can mix it with other flowers. You don't have to worry about growing ferns in pots. This plant is not needy as it only needs little maintenance and can be useful to fill in the gaps in your container garden.

Why is my fern plant drying up?

The most common reasons why a fern is drying out are low air humidity, lack or excess of sunlight, adding too much fertilizer and when you don't water your fern properly. Although most ferns prefer high air humidity, a few of them grow better in a rather dry atmosphere.

Why do my ferns look like something is growing underneath?

Some ferns spread via rhizomes, which are horizontal roots that grow continuously. This might be what you're seeing.

Do mosquitoes hurt ferns?

No, mosquitoes do not cause any harm to ferns.

If I planted ferns outside in the southern United states, will they come back in the spring, or shou...

Whether you should keep them outside or inside depends how cold your area gets. If it gets below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius), brin...

When is it okay to transfer a fern outside?

It's fine to transfer a fern outside, as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius) at night.

Is it okay if I only water my fern plants once a week?

You need to water your ferns whenever the top 3 inches of soil feel dry. This may be once a week, or may be every day. Check the soil frequently to...

At what temperature can ferns survive outside?

Ferns do best when kept in an environment that stays between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5-23.9 degrees Celsius) where the air is relatively c...

How do you take care of potted ferns?

There are a lot of different types of ferns, and some ferns need more water than others, so first you should try to figure out what type of fern yo...

My outdoor ferns always seem to dry up and turn yellow in summer. Should I be bringing them inside?

If you live in a super hot area, it might be too warm for your ferns. Try bringing them inside until the temperature reaches a more comfortable lev...

How much water on average should I give my ferns? I don’t want to over water them!

You only need enough water to keep the soil wet. Generally, you can water your ferns every day until you hear water coming out of the drainage hole...

Do pine needles bother ferns that are planted outdoors?

Pine needles won't bother outdoor ferns, and they can actually help your plants retain water. As long as your ferns look healthy, they're fine!

How Often Should You Water Ferns Outside?

Once you begin to know how to take care of ferns, you will see the main things the plants like are the area in your garden and how often do you water ferns. Too much pampering and you can harm the plant’s growth.

How to keep insects out of ferns?

The best way to prevent these insects from entering your home on the plant is to spray your ferns on the upper and undersides of the leaves. Do this after pruning your ferns and let the fern dry before taking them into your home.

What is the Southern Maidenhair Fern?

Southern Maidenhair Fern – You will find the Southern Maidenhair ferns a spreading plant that can thrive in a broad range of soil conditions in your garden such as acidic soils and soils full of rocks. While it has a delicate look about it, its looks hide how hardy it can be.

How tall do male ferns grow?

Male fern – Male ferns grow up to 5 ft and are evergreen. These ferns take on a shape like a vase and are another fern that likes lots of shade, and grows best in a moist soil garden.

Why are my ferns turning brown?

One other thing that can lead to brown tips on your ferns is the weather conditions are too cold. If this is the case, rather than waste your plants, one of the best tips is to use containers to transplant your plant, so you can take your outdoor ferns inside when it is cold. Lack of water can also be the reason for brown tips on the fronds.

Why do ferns need to be watered?

If you grow your fern plants in containers outside, it may take daily watering because the water drains much faster and soil will dry quicker, particularly in warm spells.

What is an autumn fern?

Autumn Fern – Being semi-evergreen plants, the Autumn fern you see has arching fronds. In the spring and summer, the foliage becomes a coppery color with a pinkish hue. Toward fall, the plants take on a more natural copper glow. You can find these fern plants adds year-round interest to your shaded landscape gardening, and as long as you keep the soil damp, the plant will be happy.

How to get rid of brown ferns?

If your fern begins to die as a result of neglect, do the same by removing the damaged/dead area with a pair of shears. If your whole plant appears brown and crispy, it is best to remove it before it spreads to other house plants.

How much humidity do ferns need?

Plug in a humidifier and keep it next to your fern to keep it moist and happy, and aim for anywhere between 30% to 50% humidity in the room (ferns in the wild do well in humidity around 70%, but that may not be possible indoors).

How to divide a large fern into smaller ferns?

To divide a large fern into several smaller ferns, dig out the plant and its roots. Carefully grab a chunk of roots and fronds that separate naturally from the fern itself. Then, replant each of these sections in a new area far away from each other in your yard to give them enough room to thrive. [13]

How hot should ferns be?

Keep the temperature between 60 and 72 °F (16 and 22 °C). Most indoor species of ferns are tropical, although not all require tropical weather. Make sure that the temperature in your home (or at least the room in which the fern is kept) is near 70 °F (21 °C) during the day and below 60 °F (16 °C) at night.

How long can a fern live?

By putting your fern in the right spot and keeping an eye on it, you can grow your fern to its full potential and keep it around for years to come (seriously—some ferns can live to be 100 years old!).

Why do ferns grow on slopes?

Ferns are great plants to plant on a slope to help aid in soil erosion prevention. Their roots reach down deep into the soil, and they can live for decades, so they’ll be around for a long time.

Why are my fern leaves turning brown?

If you notice the leaves of your fern getting brown or crispy, it’s probably getting too much sun. Try moving it to a different area or keeping it away from the window for a while.

How tall does a lady fern grow?

Lady fern – Lady fern is drought tolerant, grows up to 3 feet (.9 m.), and has a beautiful upright habit.

What color is Christmas fern?

Foliage turns a coppery pink color in the spring, green in the summer and copper in the fall. This fern is known for the year-round interest it adds to any shady garden and prefers very wet soil. Christmas fern – Christmas fern is a popular fern in the southeast, where it is evergreen. It looks similar to the Boston fern.

What is the most common type of fern?

There are a number of outdoor ferns to choose from with the following being the most common: Southern maidenhair fern – Southern maidenhair fern is a hardy spreading plant that will survive in a wider range of soil conditions, including rocks and acidic soils.

Where do graceful ferns nest?

Image by Brejeq. Although we are most accustomed to seeing graceful ferns throughout woodlands and forests where they nestle under tree canopies, they are equally attractive when used in the shady home garden.

Can ferns grow in a garden?

Growing a fern garden outdoors is easy. Ferns make excellent companions for woodland plantings like hosta, columbine, liriope, and caladiums. Learning how to take care of ferns depends mostly on the type you grow. While many types of hardy garden ferns are deciduous, some are evergreen. There are a number of outdoor ferns to choose from with the following being the most common:

Can ferns survive the heat?

A large number of ferns will withstand both the winter cold and summer heat, which makes them particularly useful in the shady southern landscape. This hardiness also makes taking care of outdoor ferns simple.

Is it easy to take care of ferns?

Taking care of outdoor ferns is so easy that you often forget that they are there. They are excellent for naturalizing, and will reward the gardener with their graceful texture year after year.

How to keep ferns fresh?

I know we are busy people but frankly speaking, the easiest way to keep your ferns fresh and lively is by keeping the soil moist properly.

How to keep ferns from growing in humidity?

With high moisture level in the air, ferns grow very well. You can keep the humidity level higher manually for your indoor as well as outdoor ferns. To keep the humidity level high, double pot your fern. First, select a pot which is larger than the pot you have planted your fern.

How to grow ferns in a larger pot?

Then cover it with moss soaked in water. Now put the second pot into the larger pot and cover the soil with a layer of wet moss. It will lock the humidity in the pots which will help the fern to flourish well.

How long does it take for ferns to grow?

Ferns usually grow larger and bushy in one year. So after each year, you need to replace it with a bigger pot.

Why are ferns sick?

In-house ferns get mostly affected by diseases because of improper light and air. A sick fern is also unhealthy to keep inside the home.

How to keep ferns alive in the morning?

Place the pot aside from the window and keep the window open in the morning. The morning breeze and indirect light are crucial for a thriving fern. In summertime close the window after 12 noon as the temperature increases afterward. And certainly, in winters keep the window open as much longer as possible.

How to make fertilizer for ferns?

If you have your own garden then you can make the fertilizer at home from dry leaves and branches. Then mix it with the soil of your fern.

What to do if fern leaves are yellow?

If you notice the leaves are pale or yellowish, this is a good indication that the plant may lack nutrients.

How to get rid of slugs in my yard?

You can also try non-toxic methods to discourage the pests. For example, sprinkle a coarse substance such as dry eggshells, coffee grounds or diatomaceous earth around the slug; the sharp substance abrades their slimy outer coating.

Is Boston Fern drought tolerant?

Boston fern outdoors requires plenty of water and isn’t drought-tolerant. Provide enough water to keep the soil consistently moist, but never allow the soil to remain soggy or waterlogged. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant lightly on hot days.

Can you grow Boston Fern indoors?

Image by Gardening Know How via Nikki Tilley. Boston fern is a lush, old-fashioned plant valued for its lacy, bright green foliage. When grown indoors, this easy-care plant provides an air of elegance and style. But can your grow Boston fern outdoors?

Can a Boston Fern be Grown Outside?

Although Boston fern is often grown as a houseplant, it thrives outdoors in warm, humid climates in USDA zones 9 to 11. With adequate moisture, the plant may tolerate drier climates. Frost may kill the fern to the ground, but it will rebound in spring.