Fern Facts
Ferns belong to a special part of the plant kingdom known as the non-flowering plants. You might ask, how do these plants reproduce if they do not flower? Ferns produce spores (those tiny brown specs) on the underside of their fronds (leaves). Once dispersed and fertilized these spores give life to hundreds of new ferns.
Most ferns are perennial (they come back year after year) and can be either evergreen (maintaining their foliage year-round) or deciduous (shedding their leaves for the winter months).
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GROWING FERNS
The following is a partial list of likes and dislikes of most ferns (indoor and outdoor).
Likes
Strong Sunlight
High Winds
Dryness at Root-zone
Dislikes
Protection from high winds
Enough space to grow to mature size
Undisturbed root environment
Filtered sun/shade
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FERNS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Most wild ferns prefer a moist woodland habitat with high humidity. However, there are ferns suited for all environments from rock cliffs to swampy bogs. Through research you can find the right fern for your landscape.
ENVIRONMENT and CULTURE
Ferns thrive in open, shaded areas—in the filtered light found under a canopy of mature trees. The North side of the house works equally as well. In areas that experience cold, wet winters, the best time for planting is in the springtime. Because ferns are sensitive to excess fertilizers, spreading slow-release fertilizer or well-rotted organic matter is recommended. Ferns prefer slightly acidic soils with a high percentage of humus which aids in water retention and proper drainage.
PESTS and CONTROL
Ferns are sensitive to insecticides; therefore, it is better to attack pest problems in non-toxic ways to insure healthy plants. Slugs and snails are a fern’s worst enemy in the garden. To prevent slug and snail damage try some of the following tactics:
· Scatter shallow dishes of beer throughout the garden.
· Use overturned grapefruit shells.
· Remove debris that could harbor pests and diseases.
COLONIZING FERNS
To achieve a natural fern colony in your garden, grow some of these colonizing ferns. These ferns have creeping rhizomes that allow them to spread quickly.
- Ostrich Feather Fern – Matteuccia struthiopteris
- Soft Shield Fern – Polystichum setiferum
- American Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum pedatum
- Evergreen Maidenhair Fern - Adiantum venustrum
FERNS AS CONTAINER PLANTS
Many people are familiar with the use of ferns as indoor houseplants; you can even buy them in the grocery store! Some ferns will thrive as houseplants if their environmental requirements are satisfied.
LIGHT: Indoor ferns need bright light. Direct sun would scorch the leaves; however, a southern exposure, with a light curtain or that is shaded by an outdoor tree should provide sufficient light during the winter months. During the summer months this light would be too harsh for the ferns, so we suggest moving them to a northern or eastern location that receives unfiltered light (free of tree branches or curtains).
WATER & HUMIDITY: Container ferns should be watered when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Allow water to run freely from the bottom of the container but do not allow the pot to sit in standing water.
As one would expect, growing ferns indoors requires extra effort on the part of the grower to provide a humid environment. Home growers often use the following techniques:
- Grouping ferns together
- Setting containers on gravel-filled trays filled with water
- Misting ferns
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