Ferns are wonderful additions to your houseplant collection, patio pots, hanging baskets, and gardens. They make great houseplants because of a unique property that allows them to release moisture into the air; This means that placing them around other moisture-loving plants and keeping them indoors will all benefit those looking for a little more humidity, especially in the winter.
Learn how to properly care for a fern in winter, whether indoors or outdoors.
How to care for a fern in winter
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For gardeners in cold climates, many perennial ferns are hardy and do not require much winter care; All that is needed is to remove fallen leaves in late winter or early spring. At this point, the tightly curled fiddleheads will probably already be growing out of the crown.
However, tropical ferns require different care during cold weather, especially if they are kept outside during the warmer months. Some examples of gentle ferns for the summer garden that can be overwintered indoors include boston, Asparagus, Staghorn, bird’s nestAnd rabbit’s foot fern,
Popular for over a century
Boston ferns have gained popularity since the Victorian era when they were introduced as parlor plants.
Staghorn, bird’s nest and rabbit’s foot ferns are often grown as houseplants. Staghorn ferns adapt to a temperature range between 50-100ºF, so bring them inside if your winter falls below that. Also be sure to bring bird’s nest and rabbit’s foot ferns indoors when temperatures drop below 60ºF when placed outside.
Boston and asparagus ferns are two types of ferns Hanging baskets or container arrangements are more likely to find space on porches and patios. In cold climates these are often kept as annuals and discarded at the end of the season, but both can be kept indoors over the winter and moved back outside in the spring, ensuring That they will live for many years.
Plan to move them indoors when temperatures drop below 55ºF and follow these steps to maintain these ornamental ferns all season long.
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lights
Boston fern will tolerate shade when kept dormant in a garage or basement over the winter, or you can Overwinter Them as House Plants In a place with indirect light; East or west facing windows are suitable locations.
Keep the asparagus fern inside in a receiving location bright but not harsh sunlightBecause it can burn the front part. Asparagus ferns also do well in cool greenhouses.
temperature
Ferns are intolerant of frost and cold, so bring them indoors before outdoor temperatures drop below 55ºF. Give them a cool location free from drafts and away from heating vents. They grow best when daytime temperatures do not exceed 72ºF and nighttime temperatures are around 60ºF.
Sorting
Light pruning gives plants a more manageable size and shape to grow indoors where space may be limited. Always remove fern leaves at the base rather than cutting them back. Remove leaves that are long, crooked, brown or yellow. Do not remove more than one-third of the plant.
Water
Before moving the fern indoors, spray the entire plant, including the undersides of the leaves, to help remove pests and debris.
Keep the soil consistently moist for ferns kept as houseplants. If you’re keeping a Boston fern dormant, water only when the soil feels dry.
Some browning and dropping of leaves is normal, but in cases of significant mortality, Place pots on pebble tray With water to increase humidity or move the fern to a cooler location. Do not let the bottom of the pot remain in water, as this can cause root rot.
insect
Remove any debris that has accumulated on the leaves and rub them gently with your fingers to help dislodge the insects. Ferns attract black aphids, scale, spider mites, mealybugs and whiteflies which may need to be eliminated insecticidal soap,
Tips for Overwintering Ferns
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- Find out about the species of fern you want to grow. Many are ideal for outdoor shady gardens and require little care other than a little cleaning and occasional division in the spring.
- You don’t need to repot your Boston and asparagus ferns every year. With a little care, these ferns can overwinter in their containers and live for many years. In fact, the Boston fern was introduced as a houseplant more than a century ago.
- Gentle tropical ferns are the only perennials USDA Zone 9 and higher Depending on the variety, and are almost always grown in containers in cool climates. Although they can grow in the ground, the temperature, light, and moisture requirements make them short-lived and impractical as garden plants.
- Both indoor and outdoor fern species can be fertilized lightly with a balanced, slow-release product during the growing season. All ferns are sensitive to salt, so soak fertilized plants in water every year to wash off salt residues.
