Hands up if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a fern. Ferns can feel dramatic, and honestly sometimes they feel like they’re prone to just falling over dead whenever they dang well like.
BUT, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Ferns are structurally DIFFERENT from other plants. And changing a few small things about the way you care for them could mean you have thriving, healthy ferns in your home before you know it!
Why are Ferns different than other plants?
Ferns evolved before most other plants on Earth. They’ve been around since prehistoric times! And while they have some of the same internal structures as other houseplants (xylem and phloem I’m looking at you!), the way they reproduce is VERY different.
Ferns don’t flower, and they don’t produce seeds. They evolved during a very wet, tropical period of our planet’s history, and Ferns need water around them to reproduce.
On the underside of a fern’s fronds, you’ll find dark black/brown dots call sori. These house the spores that release the plant’s genetic material onto the ground (as opposed to having seeds that drop). The material in the spores need to be IN WATER for reproduction to happen. No water, no reproduction.
What does that mean? Ferns are adapted to need water around them.
Still with me?
Great!
What does that mean for growing Ferns in your home?
You’re likely not trying to reproduce your potted Maidenhair Fern in your living room. But, you probably are trying to keep it beautiful and healthy!
And here’s the deal. Ferns evolved to grow at a time on our planet when it was very wet, and very humid. Which means they’ll thrive in that same environment today. They’re built for it!
What your indoor fern needs to thrive:
Keep their soil evenly moist – Ferns love water, so letting their soil dry out completely in between watering will stress them. It’s a different strategy to watering many other houseplants, but don’t be afraid to keep that soil moist!- Find a humid spot for them – bathrooms and kitchens tend to have the highest humidity in your home, so these are great places for your Fern to live.
- Mist and humidfy – if your Fern isn’t in a naturally humid area in your home, consider adding a humidifier nearby, or misting your Fern daily.
- Add moss – moss retains moisture, so adding it around the base of your Fern can help keep moisture from evaporating from your soil too quickly!
Ferns are truly beautiful. They clean our air, and add beautiful depth and texture to a houseplant collection. And with a little extra moisture and TLC, your Fern will love you right back for years to come!
And if fern’s aren’t your fave, but you’re looking for the best plants to start your indoor garden, here are a few of our easy-care faves!
