Ferns
Ferns have been around for millions of years. There are over 500 types of ferns that thrive in the U.S.
Ferns are related to liverworts and mosses, and never produce fruits or flowers. Depending on the species, ferns can thrive in sun, but usually prefer shade. Ferns are low-maintenance house
and garden plants that rarely suffer damage from pests and diseases. They prefer dry to moist soils, rich
in organic matter, but some varieties do well in rich soils, rock gardens and even marsh-like settings.
Houseplants varieties generally require less water than garden varieties.
Ferns can add color to a planting scheme: Japanese painted ferns are vibrant. Evergreen ferns, such as
Christmas ferns and tassel ferns can be used in outdoor gardens if the region's climate remains moderate
during the winter.
Plants like asparagus ferns and sweet ferns are not true ferns, and are actually
flowering plants. The asparagus fern is related to the edible garden asparagus, and the sweet fern is a
small shrub related to the bayberry.
Let's take a brief look at how to take care for several different
types of Ferns, click the images to open and close the care tips:
Athyrium
ATHYRIUM
Environment: Suitable only for a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the North/East
Soil Type: Use a GOOD rich potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well), such as an African violet mix. If you want to mix your own take: 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts humus (leaf mold), 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part rinsed aquarium charcoal chips and a little fine grade fir bark. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks spring through fall with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring.
Plant Pests: Prone to aphids and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division and spores in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
Gardening Tips & Care: Keep cool and mist occasionally with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). A good plant for a shaded unheated sun porch.
Christmas Fern
POLYSTICHUM (CHRISTMAS FERN)
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in full sunlight coming from the North/South/East/West
Soil Type: Use a GOOD rich potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well), such as an African violet mix. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part humus (leaf mold), 1 part peat, 1 part garden soil and 1 part coarse sand or perlite. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil barely moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through fall with water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring.
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division and spores in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
Gardening Tips & Care: Will grow for everyone and needs repotting in the spring. Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Tassel
TASSEL FERN
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: Medium humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in full sunlight coming from the North/South/East/West
Soil Type: Use a GOOD rich potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well), such as an African violet mix. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part humus (leaf mold), 1 part peat, 1 part garden soil and 1 part coarse sand or perlite. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Keep the soil barely moist and if you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed monthly spring through fall with water soluble fertilizer diluted by half. An alternative is a granular slow release fertilizer if applied annually in the early spring.
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs and scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division and spores in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
Gardening Tips & Care: Will grow for everyone and needs repotting in the spring. Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining). Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water.
Air Purifier: A good remover of formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere.
Adiantum
ADIANTUM (MAIDENHAIR FERN)
Environment: Suitable for the home or a greenhouse.
Humidity: High humidity
Lighting Needs: Does best in bright indirect sunlight coming from the South/East/West
Soil Type: A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) will suffice. Check purchased soil to see that it is well aerated and add sand or perlite and peat moss if it seems to pack too tightly. Give the plants a chance to settle in before going back to whatever fertilization program has been successful for you. If you want to mix your own take: 1 part garden soil, 1 part coarse sand or perlite, 1 part moist peat or humus (leaf mold) and a light dusting of lime. Always use a pot with a hole.
Watering: Drench the soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water.
Fertilizer: Feed every two weeks during the spring and summer with a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half.
Plant Pests: Prone to mealy bugs, scale and spider mites. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse.
Propagation: Division and spores in the spring. After dividing plant, pot in the plant's regular potting mix. Take spores from ripe spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. Put the spores in an envelope and allow to dry. Place a brick in a plastic box or pan and put 2 inches (5cm) of distilled water in it and cover the brick with a quarter inch of moist peat. Sprinkle spores on the peat and cover the container with a piece of glass or plastic. Be sure to maintain the water level. Place in low light, after a few months a green moss like growth should cover the peat. Eventually leaves will appear, divide and transplant after they are 2 inches (5cm) tall.
Gardening Tips & Care: Mist frequently with warm water (lime free to avoid leaf staining) and cut back in the early spring, remove all old foliage. Place pebbles or gravel in the drainage dish to hold water and increase the humidity, make sure the pot is sitting on the gravel and not in the water. Needs repotting in the spring and drafts should be avoided. If possible put outside in the summer in a moderately shady place.
