Help Caring For My Fern Plants

Hi Mindy,

Beautiful ferns, hope these care tips help you care for them and that they thrive in your home.

You can tell that this first fern is a Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)) because of its silvery bluish fronds and reddish stems. Japanese painted ferns like bright indirect light but no direct sun. These plants do not need much plant food. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength monthly when the plant is actively growing. It’s best to keep the soil of a Japanese Painted Fern moist but not soggy at all times. Use a potting mix that has some organic matter which makes it a rich soil, but be sure it still drains quickly.

This next fern is called a Japanese Holly Fern. (Cyrtomium). Holly Ferns need less humidity and less care that other indoor ferns. They like bright indirect light but no sun. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Do not use water that has chemicals in it because it damages the leaves. Holly Ferns prefer warm temperatures: 65-80°F/18-27°C.  Feed monthly from April through September when it is actively growing. Use a well balanced liquid plant fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. The potting soil should retain water but still drain quickly.

Fluffy Ruffle Fern is a type of Boston fern, but is more compact and less messy. Like most indoor ferns it likes bright indirect light, though it can survive in lower light. Keep the soil barely moist and be sure there are drip holes in the bottom of the pot so excess water can escape. High humidity keeps the fronds looking good. Feed monthly from late spring through autumn, never feed in the winter. Always dilute your plant food to 1/3-1/4 the recommended strength.

Foxtail Fern: This fern is a relative of the more common Asparagus Fern and is a member of the lily family. It likes bright light but no direct sun. Water well until the excess water comes out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot. Allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering again to prevent root rot. In the winter, allow the soil to dry out even more but never allow the soil to totally dry out. Feed monthly from late spring through autumn, never feed in the winter. Always dilute your plant food 1/3-1/4 the recommended strength. Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C. Likes high humidity if possible.