Holly Fern Care – Indoors

How I do take care of a Holly Fern during the winter? It is put indoors because winter gets too cold for it to stay alive outside. It is next to a semi sun window with diffused light. My entire apartment has large overhanging trees that shade the sunlight that reaches the windows and outdoor plants. Thanks!

Hi Pam,

 

Thick, shiny, green Japanese Holly fern
Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum

Japanese Holly Ferns are great indoor fern plants. They need less humidity and less care that other indoor ferns. Another great feature of Holly Ferns is that their thick, shiny, long dark green fronds don’t shed their little leaflets like some ferns do. Here are some care tips for Japanese Holly Ferns once you bring them indoors.

Light: Holly Ferns like bright indirect light. Bring them in gradually from the outdoors so that the light difference between the two areas isn’t too sudden.

Water: Try to keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Do not use water that has passed through a softener, too salty, or water that is high in fluoride or chlorine. All of these chemicals will cause brown tips on the beautiful fronds of this plant.

Humidity: Basic household humidity is fine for Holly Ferns.

Temperature: Holly Ferns prefer warm temperatures: 65-80°F/18-27°C.

Soil: Use a good indoor potting soil that retains moisture but still drains quickly.

Plant Food: Feed a Holly Fern monthly from April through September when it is actively growing. Use a well balanced liquid plant fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.