Growing ferns is like paying homage to the passage of time. These beautiful plants have been on this earth for millions of years, surviving and thriving through floods and fires. They are delicate, yet tough; stalwart, yet elegant. Provided that ferns have their basic needs met, they offer lush foliage for any home or garden.  Implement these few tips to ensure that your ferns have an environment that will allow them to thrive:

1. Ensure that your ferns are planted in the proper soil.  Ferns grow naturally in forests or tropical areas that are known to have rich compost. To create optimum soil conditions for your ferns, try adding peat to your compost or soil to enrich it.  Make sure that the soil is also well-draining.  Ferns do not like wet, water-logged roots.
2. Ferns thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking the dappled sunlight they’d naturally get under a forest canopy. Place them near bright window, but not in direct sunlight.  Use sheer curtains to diffuse direct sunlight.
3. Ferns love humidity, making them ideal for bathrooms or kitchens. If your space is dry, try placing them on a pebble tray filled with water or misting them regularly can help keep them happy.  Keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid water-logging. Water when the top couple of centimetres of the soil feels dry.  Keep them away from cold drafts.
4. Feed your ferns with a diluted liquid fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in the cooler months.
5. If you notice any part of the plant turning brown or decaying, it should be removed immediately. However, take note of yellow fronds.  This might mean that you are over-watering your fern.  Leave the yellow fronds in place and simply reduce your watering schedule.

Styling Tips: Where to Use Ferns Indoors

• Bathroom Bliss: Their love for humidity makes them perfect for hanging baskets or shelves in the bathroom. Pair with modern, neutral tones for a serene spa vibe.
• Living Room Showstoppers: Large ferns like Boston Ferns can be statement pieces in corners, while smaller varieties like Maidenhair Ferns look lovely on coffee tables or bookshelves.
• Creative Wall Art: Use vertical planters or moss walls to create living art with cascading ferns.
• Centerpiece Chic: Use compact ferns in decorative pots as dining table centerpieces for a touch of elegance.
• Workspace Greenery: Add ferns to your desk or bookshelf to create a calming, productive workspace.

Bonus Tips for Fern Success

• Repotting: Only repot when the plant outgrows its container, usually every 1–2 years. Use a peat based potting soil for best results.
• Pruning: Trim away any brown or damaged fronds to keep your fern looking fresh and encourage new growth.
• Grouping Plants: Surrounding your ferns with other plants can create a micro-humid environment, benefiting all your greenery.

With their versatility and beauty, ferns can turn any room into a green oasis. Give them the care they need, and they’ll reward you with lush, vibrant growth for years to come.

DISCLAIMER:  The information presented on this website is intended solely as a general guide. We neither endorse specific plant varieties over others nor claim expertise in stock performance. All information is believed to be accurate, based on private inquiries and experiences, and is provided in good faith. Blackwood’s, including its employees, disclaims any responsibility for harm, loss, cost, or damage arising from the use or reliance upon any information on this website, especially if any part of the information proves to be inaccurate or incomplete. Please note that the displayed photos are not representative of current stock but are used for illustrative purposes only.