When to Bring Ferns Inside? How to Take Care of Them Indoors?

When to bring ferns inside? How to take care of them indoors? Which varieties are affected by the cold? 

When to Bring Ferns Inside?

Ferns have thousands of species and varieties around the world. These perennial and hardy plants, evergreen or deciduous depending on the species, develop quickly. Size-wise, there is something for everyone, with varieties from a few centimetres to 6 meters/3.28 feet. Outdoors or indoors, they are quite easy to maintain and grow. It remains to be known when to bring them in and how to take care of them all year round. We’ll tell you a little more right away…

How to Take Care of a Fern in Winter?

Regular watering is required to keep the soil in the pot always moist. To do this, choose non-calcareous water and remember to mist your plants and the foliage frequently. Fertilize them every three weeks in spring and summer. In terms of location, find a place in partial shade. Be especially careful that they are not exposed to too much light, which will cause the ferns’ foliage to yellow. For the temperature, a room oscillating between 18 to 20°C/64 to 68°F is ideal. Finally, know that contrary to popular belief, ferns can be mixed with other green plants instead of to be grown alone in a pot. Last watering tip to maintain high humidity: place the ferns on a saucer large enough to fill it with clay balls. These will collect excess water.

Does a Fern Plant Freeze?

During scorching periods such as summer, ferns used as ornamental plants must be watered regularly to nourish them but also to keep their foliage constantly moist. As we mentioned above, the water must not stagnate so that the plants do not rot. In winter, the problem that appears is frost. Ferns must be absolutely protected from the cold. To do this, cover them with mulch of wilted leaves. This is a proven method. If you live in a particularly cold region, we can only advise you to plant your ferns as ornamental plants in containers that are easy to bring indoors when the temperatures become negative.

Also read: Which Are the Cold Resistant Aromatic Plants? 5 Fragrant Options

When to Bring Ferns Inside? Which Varieties Are Affected?

Be aware that certain varieties of ferns cannot tolerate being grown in the garden, as they prefer the mild and room temperatures of our modern interiors. Here are two varieties described in more detail which are among those made to live indoors: Cyathea australis and Dicksonia antartica.

Cyathea Australis – Australian Tree Fern

This tree fern from Australia is quite spectacular, but very slow growing. That said, it can reach up to 6 meters/19.6 feet in height. It forms a small, black, thin trunk on which unfold persistent and flexible fronds that can measure up to 4 meters/13 feet in length. We advise you to plant this variety in the ground if you are lucky enough to live in a mild climate. Indeed, this plant, due to its very low hardiness, will have to be wintered frost-free in harsher climates. Finally, we recommend that you keep the substrate of the Cyathea australis moist throughout the summer and at the same time provide it with liquid fertilizer once a week at that time.

Also read: How to Make Liquid Compost? A Simple and Easy Method to Stimulate Soil Health and Fertility

Dicksonia Antarctica

With its majestic foliage and upright habit, Dicksonia antarctica resembles a small palm tree with its large, stiff, bright green fronds. This plant is also very slow growing and not very hardy. Therefore, it is necessary to plant it in a container to overwinter frost-free. Be careful, the Dicksksonia antartica fears limestone and drought. It has the same characteristics as other ferns in that it risks rotting in the event of too much water. Water it by wetting the stem from top to bottom along its entire length.

Want to bring some colour into your homes during the cold & gray weather outside? Find colourful 6 indoor plants that bloom all year round!