Fertilizing Indoor Ferns - How To Feed Your Indoor Potted Ferns

Fertilization. Ferns are relatively light feeders compared to many other foliage plants. They prefer a balanced fertilizer, such as 20-10-20 or 20-20-20, with micronutrients applied at approximately 200 ppm nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can cause tip burn on the roots and leaves if the plant becomes dry.

How do you fertilize indoor ferns?

Ferns require only light feedings of fertilizer once a month from April through September unless actively growing in winter months. Apply liquid houseplant fertilizer at about one-half the recommended rate. Too much fertilizer will scorch the foliage.

Do indoor ferns need feeding?

Although regular fertilization is important, indoor ferns don't need heavy doses of fertilizer, which may scorch the leaves. Be sure to water well immediately after fertilizing indoor ferns; fertilizer is a strong chemical that may damage the roots when applied to dry soil.

What do you feed indoor ferns?

Fertilise the plant during spring, summer and autumn with an all-purpose, slow-release organic fertiliser. Ferns will require extra water in hot, dry or windy weather. Many Australian ferns can cope with dry periods, but watering will help them thrive.

How do you care for indoor potted ferns?

All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.

Should you mist ferns?

Misting is good for broad-leaf ferns and those of simple-leaf forms. Use less spray on crinkled varieties, which tend to collect moisture and hold it, contributing to development of fungus. Humidity can be increased in the vicinity of the plants when pots are set on trays of moist pebles or on damp sand.

Is Epsom salt good for ferns?

Mix 1 teaspoon with 1 gallon of water and apply when watering the plant. Ferns – Epsom salts work wonders on ferns as a liquid fertilizer helping the leaves have a rich, deep dark green color. ... Apply as a drench mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.

Is Miracle Grow good for ferns?

Feed outdoor ferns with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food and indoor ferns with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food. Prune when the plant looks scraggly or has dropped a lot of leaves. Provide indoor Boston ferns with additional humidity as needed.

Why is my indoor fern dying?

Watering Indoor Ferns

Some ferns prefer very wet soil while others like less moisture, but all need good drainage and slightly dried out soil between watering. Too much water and the plant will develop yellowing or droopy fronds, a sign of root rot. Too little water, and the fern's fronds will also begin to droop.

What is the best plant food for ferns?

Fertilization. Ferns are relatively light feeders compared to many other foliage plants. They prefer a balanced fertilizer, such as 20-10-20 or 20-20-20, with micronutrients applied at approximately 200 ppm nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can cause tip burn on the roots and leaves if the plant becomes dry.

Is blood and bone good for ferns?

Ferns are gross feeders and fertilisers are best applied during the warm months when plants are growing. Blood and bone or liquid organic fertilisers such as fish emulsion are suitable.

Can you over water ferns?

Over-watered ferns may drop their leaves or the foliage may yellow. You may notice a green, mossy growth on the top of the soil or gray fungi may form. Over-watering ferns poses the risk of root rot and other fungal diseases.

What Ferns take full sun?

Both the male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas, and the scaly (golden) male fern, D. affinis, are among the most sun-tolerant of the evergreen fern species.

Why is my indoor fern turning brown?

The biggest obstacle to growing healthy ferns indoors is the dry air found inside most homes. Without adequate humidity, the fronds turn brown and dry. ... You may also see brown, dry fronds when ferns don't get the right amount of light or when you don't water or fertilize properly.

Do ferns like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. ... And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

How often do you water indoor ferns?

Most ferns like an evenly moist soil with regular waterings. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings stresses these plants.

Do ferns need sunlight?

Ferns Need Plenty of Indirect Light

Most ferns prefer indirect light, which means you should avoid placing them where sunlight will hit them—their leaves can get scorched if you do, resulting in a dry, crispy plant.

How often do you use Epsom salt on ferns?

You can mix 2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of water and spray it onto your fern once a month. Do this when your ferns are actively growing, and when the ferns are more dormant, reduce the ratio to 1 tablespoon per gallon.

What does an overwatered fern look like?

The first sign that a fern is overwatered is usually yellowing or wilted leaves. One surefire way to determine if it's time to water a Boston fern is to touch the soil with your fingertip. If the surface of the soil feels slightly dry, it's time to give the plant a drink.

Do ferns grow back if you cut them?

Cut back to the base if desired.

If you are not liking the look of your plant at all, you can cut it down to just above the crown, much as you do with an outdoor fern. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off the fronds. The fern will grow back from the crown, if you let it remain.

How can I make my ferns grow bigger?

Repot the ferns into large planters or hanging baskets. The ferns we buy always come in the plastic hanging baskets. ...
Fertilize. Ferns don't require much fertilizer… ...
Water frequently, but water the right way. ...
Cut off any brown fronds. ...
Choose the right light. ...
Rotate occasionally. ...
Don't toss the metal basket!

When should I repot my ferns?

Ferns will require repotting every few years. Divide overcrowded plants by removing them from the pot then use a sharp knife to cut into the root mass, dividing it into 2 or 3 sections. Repot and keep the soil medium evenly moist and supplying humidity for the first few weeks.