What is it about ferns that makes them so appealing? Although they donât flower or produce fruit or heady fragrance, ferns are a go-to choice for many gardeners in the outdoor landscape, where they tend to be easy to grow.
But why bring them indoors, as many houseplant lovers do? Out in the yard they are nearly maintenance free. Inside itâs a different story. They are very particular about their needs and will up and die if neglected. Yet people continue to be besotted, pampering countless ferns on their windowsills, in their bathrooms and kitchens, and anywhere in the home that they feel could use the softening effect of some lacy fronds.
The Victorians really led the way in bringing ferns indoors. Their widespread obsession with collecting and exhibiting these plants was so prevalent and intense that it became known as pteridomania. Most people grew their specimens in urns or terrarium precursors known as Wardian cases, but ferns also flourished in the elaborate glassed-in conservatories of the rich. Reinforcing the fad were myriad s of ferns that appeared as motifs on textiles, pottery, and jewelry. Around the same time, enthusiastic hybridizers also created hundreds of new fern varieties, many of which are still popular today.
The fern madness of the Victorians eventually gave way to a fixation on orchids, but the tradition of growing ferns indoors has lingered, and a multitude of varieties for that purpose continues to exist. Seemingly, there is a fern you can grow as a houseplant anyplace you can think of except, perhaps, the inside of a closet or under the bed.
Ferns have a reputation for fussiness, and their cultivation requirements are quite specific. Still, with a little thought and attention, you can successfully grow and maintain them as houseplants. Experts advise analyzing your conditions carefully and then selecting a species that is well suited for the location you have in mind.
In general, for maximum growth and health, it is important to provide ferns with plenty of humidity, generous watering, lots of space, sufficient light without direct sun exposure, and rich, well-draining soil.
Proper humidity can be one of the most difficult conditions to provide since most of us who live in temperate climates have central heat, which is very drying. Home moisture levels can be desertlike, as low as 5 to 10 percent relative humidity, well below the 40â50 percent levels recommended for ferns.
There are a few simple methods for countering that dryness. Daily watering will help. Resting potted ferns on water-filled saucers or trays that contain a layer of pebbles or broken crockery is another simple way of keeping the humidity high. Just make sure that the bottoms of the pots rest above the water, not in it. Soggy fern roots can lead to rot and untimely death. Another trick is to place ferns planted in clay pots inside a larger plastic pot lined with a damp, spongey medium such as peat moss. The clay pot will wick the moisture from the peat moss and help prevent the fern soil from drying out. To grow ferns indoors, try to replicate the moist, low-light conditions where they thrive outdoors. Photo by Blanca Begert.
If more moisture is needed, the use of a humidifier near your plants is an option. Drugstore humidifiers are designed to hydrate people, not plants, so there are a few special features to look for when purchasing one. Generous run time is importantâselect one that can run continuously without refilling for at least 12 hours. Humidifiers have to be cleaned frequently to keep them from spewing salt, mold, or bacteria on your plants, so choose one with a simple design to streamline the chore.
You probably see fern fronds, or leaves, used as fillers in flower arrangements. But donât let that make you think fern plants will tolerate being packed tightly against a begonia or peace lily in your home. Their delicate leaves are easily broken and they need plenty of freely circulating moist air to prevent damage and keep them sufficiently hydrated. This is an important point to remember if you decide to use a humidifier. Placing a fan nearby will help disperse the moisture-laden air and keep water droplets from landing on your plants, possibly causing blights and other distressing fern diseases.
The issue of light for the indoor fern is fraught for many gardeners. I prefer not to know how many ferns I have killed simply because I thought the plant was the perfect answer to livening up a dark corner. Although ferns are happy residents of shade gardens outdoors, inside they require plenty of bright, indirect light. Exposure to direct sun will burn their delicate foliage, making it dry and brittle and browning the edges. Avoid southern exposure where ferns will be subjected to harsh solar rays.
Ferns are beautiful plants that can add graceful texture and natural appeal to gardens and landscapes. But when it comes to sunlight, how much light do ferns really need? Can they thrive in full sun or do they require shade? The answer depends on the specific fern variety. While some ferns prefer full shade, others can tolerate partial sun to full sun when provided the right growing conditions.
An Overview of Fern Light Requirements
Most ferns are associated with shaded forest understories and prefer partial to full shade. Direct sunlight can burn and damage their delicate fronds. However, different fern species have adapted to sunlight differently depending on factors like:
- The natural habitat of the fern – Tropical vs temperate regions
- Whether the fern is native to your hardiness zone
- The intensity of sunlight in your location
- The amount of afternoon shade provided
While oak fern and Christmas fern do best in full shade, varieties like autumn fern and Western sword fern tolerate some morning sun And bracken fern can even thrive in light shade to full sunlight. Factor in your climate and the plant’s light preferences when siting ferns
Best Sun Exposure for Common Ferns
Here’s a closer look at how some popular ferns respond to sun
- Japanese painted fern – Does well in partial sun or bright, indirect light. Avoid hot afternoon sun.
- Lady fern – Tolerates some morning sun but prefers afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates.
- Ostrich fern – Takes morning sun but not intense midday/afternoon sun. Needs some shade.
- Christmas fern – Thrives in fully shaded conditions, intense sun will damage this fern.
- Western sword fern – Adaptable to part sun or shade. Handles some morning sun in cooler regions.
- Australian tree fern – Requires heavily shaded conditions like its rainforest habitat.
- Bracken fern – More sun-tolerant. Can thrive in part sun to full sun in cooler climates.
Providing Proper Sun Exposure for Ferns
When incorporating ferns into your garden, select varieties suited for your region and site accordingly:
- Place shade-loving ferns in east-facing locations receiving gentle morning sun but afternoon shade.
- In hot climates, situate sensitive ferns in part to full shade protected from intense southern sun.
- In cooler zones, some ferns will tolerate more direct sun if given a respite from afternoon heat.
- Use taller plants, fences or structures to provide midday/afternoon shade as needed.
- Monitor ferns in sunny sites and watch for scorched fronds indicating too much light intensity.
- Turn potted ferns often so all sides get even light exposure.
With proper siting and provisions for afternoon shade, most ferns can flourish without direct sunlight. But always consider the specific variety’s needs.
Signs a Fern is Getting Too Much Sunlight
Watch for these clues that your fern is getting excess sun:
- Browning, yellowing, or scorched fronds
- Discolored leaf tips and margins
- Faded color instead of rich green hues
- Drooping fronds
- Sparse growth and loss of frond density
- Failure to thrive and spread adequately
- Premature dormancy or death
If you notice these issues, try moving the fern to a shadier location or provide shade structures, shade plants or shade cloths to filter the sunlight.
Providing Natural Shade for Ferns
Here are some tips for incorporating natural shade in your garden design:
- Surround ferns with taller perennials, shrubs or grasses to shelter from sun.
- Use climbing vines on trellises to create “green curtains” filtering sunlight.
- Position ferns near or under trees where they’ll receive dappled light through the canopy.
- Plant ferns on the north side of taller plants/structures for shade.
- Grow sun-loving plants on the south side to shade ferns to the north.
- Take advantage of shade from existing structures, plants and changing sun angles when siting ferns.
Achieving the Right Balance of Sun and Shade
While ferns grow best in shade, some sun is vital for their health. But the ideal amount varies:
- Most ferns need 2-3 hours of gentle morning sun or indirect light for photosynthesis.
- Harsh midday/afternoon sun will damage delicate fronds not adapted to high light.
- Bright shade or dappled sun prevents overly dark, damp conditions lethal to most ferns.
Monitor your ferns and adjust to find the perfect balance of sun and shade for lush, happy plants.
While not all ferns can tolerate full direct sunlight, with careful planting site selection and provisions for afternoon shade, it’s possible to grow most ferns beautifully without subjecting them to harsh full sun. Focus on providing the right balance of filtered sunlight and shade to unlock the ornamental appeal of these woodland classics.
Caring for Indoor Ferns
Many attractive ferns can also be grown as houseplants. But indoor conditions are often dry and lack humidity, so provisions must be made. Here are some tips for successfully growing ferns indoors:
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Provide humidity – Use humidifiers, pebble trays, or place in bathrooms/kitchens to provide the 40-50% humidity ferns prefer.
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Give bright, indirect light – Avoid direct sunlight, but give at least 2-3 hours of bright filtered light daily. Insufficient light leads to decline.
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Use well-draining soil – Plant in light, porous potting mix that retains moisture but also drains well.
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Water thoroughly – Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Soggy soil leads to rotting roots.
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Allow ample space – Give ferns room for air circulation and growth. Avoid crowding them.
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Fertilize regularly – Feed with diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks in the growing season.
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Increase care in winter – Move to brighter locations and water carefully in winter when light and humidity are reduced.
With the right care, many ferns can thrive as low-maintenance houseplants, adding beauty and natural appeal indoors.
Suitable Ferns for Indoor Growing
Some ferns that do well as houseplants include:
- Caterpillar fern – Tolerates some drought. Striking above-ground rhizomes.
- Rabbit’s foot fern – Also tolerates neglect and has fuzzy rhizomes.
- Bird’s nest fern – An epiphyte tolerating drier air and lower light.
- Japanese holly fern – Hardy and adaptable to indoor conditions.
- Button fern – Requires high humidity but has attractive rounded leaves.
When choosing ferns, always select varieties well-suited to the light and humidity levels in your indoor spaces. With proper care, ferns can thrive indoors for years, preserving plant genera that have existed for millennia.
Not all ferns require deep shade and will tolerate some degree of sunlight when provided the right growing conditions. Factors like climate, exposure, and the plant’s needs determine how much sun a fern needs. Many varieties do best with morning sun but afternoon shade. However, with careful siting and protection from harsh midday sun, most ferns can flourish without full direct sunlight. Even indoors, ferns can add graceful appeal when given the humidity, indirect light, and care they require. By understanding a fern’s light preferences, you can incorporate these woodland classics into your indoor or outdoor space and enjoy their lush, delicate beauty.
Soil Mix and Containers
When planting your ferns, choose a light, fluffy soil mix that contains plenty of organic matter, but not enough to make the soil so heavy and dense that it does not drain well. Most packaged houseplant mediums should work well as long as they are rich in porous organic materials such as peat moss or leaf mold. Adding coarse sand or perlite will allow water to flow through freely.
Both plastic and clay pots are suitable for ferns, with those in plastic pots requiring less frequent watering. Pots should be large enough to accommodate the roots with an extra inch of space for further growth. Fern roots tend to be shallow, so short containers are best. Most ferns grow slowly but you should repot when they begin to overcrowd their containers, before they become root bound.
Ferns are known to be one of the oldest groups of living things on earth, dating back more than 300 million years. Todayâs ferns, the descendants of those ancient plants, include more than 10,000 living species, second only to angiosperms or flowering plants. With so many ferns to choose from, selecting the right one can be daunting. Below are some good species to start with, and all tend to be widely available.
Also called the grub fern, this species gets both common names from its blue-tinged rhizomes that resemble the insects and grow on top of the soil and over the side of the pot. While this plant requires the specific growing conditions discussed above, it is popular with home gardeners because it can survive the neglect of insufficient watering better than most. The fronds may turn brown and the distinctive rhizomes shrivel but they can recover once proper moisture is restored.
This fern is similar in form to the caterpillar fern with furry, animallike rhizomes that are above ground. Both varieties are shown off to excellent advantage in hanging pots. Rabbitâs foot fern also has a reputation for toughness and, like the caterpillar fern, can survive a certain amount of neglect.
This fern is an epiphyte in its native rainforest habitat, which means it grows on another plant instead of in the ground. It is quite handsome in a very un-fernlike way, with unusual straplike fronds that emerge from a dark crown or âbirdâs nest.â Grown in a pot indoors, this plant will tolerate occasional lapses in watering and somewhat less humidity than other ferns.
A vigorous plant with shiny, spiky leaflets that resemble holly foliage, Japanese holly fern is hardy to USDA Zones 6 to 11 where it can be grown outdoors as a shade plant. Inside it is more forgiving than other ferns, tolerating less humidity, brighter light and cooler temperatures. It is also larger than many ferns, typically reaching 2 feet in height and 3 feet in width.
A small plant with delicate, rounded leaflets, button fern has a low-growing horizontal habit and typically only reaches about a foot in height. This plant is particularly insistent on plenty of humidity and should never be allowed to dry out.
Whatever fern you choose, be sure to commit yourself to its care requirements and prepare to enjoy its beauty for years to come. If you decide to propagate your fern, you will have a number of options depending on what type of fern it is. The simplest method is division and works with most ferns except the birdâs nest type. Some ferns produce tiny versions of themselves, bulbils, that can be collected and planted.
Other ferns, which spread via under- or above ground stems called rhizomes, can be propagated by cutting off and planting a piece of the rhizome. Ferns produce spores rather than seeds, and spores can be harvested from their growing location on the underside of fronds and planted.
By successfully cultivating ferns you can congratulate yourself on helping to preserve a genus whose ancestors helped to sustain the dinosaurs and predated the arrival of more conventional garden plants by millennia.
Jeanne Rostaing contributed to BBGs Japanese-Style Gardens handbook and writes frequently for Gardenista.
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I Stopped Killing Ferns Once I Learned This
FAQ
Where is the best place to put a fern?
Where to plant. Most ferns are woodland plants that like light or dappled shade. They can usually tolerate some sun, as long as they have plenty of moisture.
Do ferns prefer morning or afternoon sun?
Quick Tips for Happy Ferns
Bright, indirect light is your mantra. Morning sun is good; afternoon sun is your enemy. Seasonally adjust the plant’s location for optimal light. Watch for signs of distress and act swiftly.
Are ferns ok in 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.
How often should you water a fern?
Daily water is ideal but a minimum of once every 3 days (a deep soak) is a must. 5. Mist the ferns on dry/hot days to maintain a humid environment. 6.Jul 16, 2021