How to care for your Fern
Use these instructions to care for a Fern. This guide will tell you how to water a Fern; its light, temperature, humidity preferences and any additional care it might need to help it grow.
Bird's Nest Fern
Your Bird’s Nest Fern will do best in medium to low light. The more light it receives, the more the leaves will crinkle and the less light, the flatter the leaves will be. Keep in mind, too much light or direct sunlight will cause the fronds on the fern to yellow and die.
Under ideal circumstances, all ferns would like to have constantly moist, but not wet soil. However, the Bird’s Nest Fern will tolerate soil that dries out from time to time.
This plant does not require the same level of humidity that many other kinds of ferns need, making the Bird’s Nest Fern more forgiving for the occasionally forgetful plant owner.
This fern will enjoy a warm area, preferably between 68-80 degrees, so maintain indoor temperatures above 60 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer at half strength 2-3 times during the spring and summer. Too much food will cause deformed leaves with brown or yellow spots.
Bird’s Nest Ferns are non-poisonous plants and safe for humans, dogs and cats.
Try to keep the leaves of the Bird’s Nest Fern dry to avoid bacterial and fungal infections. Never put water in the crown (center) of a Bird’s Nest Fern since the crown rots easily. The fronds are fragile, so put this fern where passersby will not brush up against it.
Button Fern
Your Button Fern will thrive in low to bright indirect light. Take care to avoid direct sun exposure, as it will scorch the foliage.
Water your Button Fern when the top inch of the soil becomes dry. When watering, thoroughly drench until the water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer of any standing water so as not to drown the roots. Button Ferns do not like soggy soil.
Your Button Fern requires an environment with higher humidity, making it the perfect bathroom or kitchen plant. Throughout the dryer times of the year, use a pebble tray to increase moisture, along with frequent misting.
The ideal temperature for your Button Fern is between 60-75 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and direct air from heating and cooling vents.
For best results, use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once every month during the spring and summer. No need to feed your plant in the winter, when growth naturally slows. Before applying any form of fertilizer, make sure the soil is damp. Never apply to dry soil.
Button Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets.
Watch for fronds that are yellowing and wilted, these are signs of overwatering. Brown leaf tips are caused by high temperatures (above 80 degrees) or dry air. Trim off any dry leaflets and raise the humidity around your plant with regular misting or a pebble tray.
Crocodile Fern
Your Crocodile Fern will do best in bright indirect to low light. A northern or eastern window provides the best light exposure. Turn the plant once or twice each month to encourage even growth.
Water your Crocodile Fern when the top inch of soil is dry, until water flows through the pot’s drainage holes. Allow the pot to drain thoroughly before placing it back on its saucer. Take care not to have any standing water in the saucer, as this may lead to root rot.
Humidity is important when growing ferns indoors. Use a pebble tray under the pot and spray the leaves with a gentle mist several times each week to increase humidity. A kitchen or bathroom is an ideal environment for your Crocodile Fern, as these areas are naturally higher in humidity.
This fern will enjoy a warm area, preferably between 68-80 degrees, so maintain indoor temperatures above 60 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Use a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength 2-3 times during the spring and summer months. Make sure the soil is thoroughly damp before fertilizing–never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Crocodile Ferns are non-poisonous plants and safe for humans, dogs, and cats.
Trim off crowded fronds to encourage airflow. This will help reduce the possibility of fungal infections.
East Indian Holly Fern
Your East Indian Holly Fern prefers bright indirect light but will adapt to medium light conditions. Take care to avoid direct sun exposure, as it will scorch the foliage.
Water your East Indian Holly Fern when the top 25% of the soil becomes dry. When watering, thoroughly drench until the water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer of any standing water so as not to drown the roots. Maintaining the correct soil moisture is key to keeping your East Indian Holly Fern happy and healthy. Keep your East Indian Holly Fern’s soil consistently moist, but not soggy, and avoid allowing your fern to dry out completely.
Your Holly Fern will appreciate added humidity. Kitchens and bathrooms are great spots for your fern. Mist often, place a humidifier nearby or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
Your East Indian Holly Fern will thrive in normal room temperatures between 60–80 degrees. It can tolerate periods of colder temperatures, but for best results keep it in warmer temperatures.
Feed your fern once a month during the spring to the end of summer with a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Your East Indian Holly Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy new growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Emina Fern
Emina Ferns prefer bright, filtered, or diffused light out of direct sun.
Maintaining the correct soil moisture is key to keeping your Emina Fern happy and healthy. The soil should be constantly moist, but not soggy and never let the soil dry out completely or sit in water. Water enough to keep the soil surface evenly moist during the spring and summer. During the winter, decrease the frequency and allow the soil surface to dry slightly before watering.
Your fern prefers slightly higher humidity. Mist the fronds twice a week during the spring and summer, and cut back to once every two weeks in the winter while your fern goes into a resting period.
This beautiful fern does not like being cold and does best when the temperature is between 60-75 degrees. If the temperature falls below 60 degrees, it will stop growing. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
For best results, use a general all-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once every month during the spring and summer. Never feed a fern when the soil is dry, it will burn the fronds.
Emina Ferns are non-poisonous to humans and pets.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy, rich, and green growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears. If you wish to boost the fern’s vigor and deepen the plant’s color, supplement regular fertilizing once during the spring and again in midsummer with 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts dissolved in a gallon of water.
Footed Blue Star Fern
Your Blue Star Fern prefers bright indirect light but will adapt to lower lighting conditions. It will not tolerate direct sunlight, as the foliage will burn.
Your Blue Star Fern is relatively hardy and will tolerate soil that dries out from time to time, but it prefers consistent watering. Water when the top 50% of soil is dry.
Your Blue Star Fern will do just fine in average household humidity but will appreciate a boost in humidity through regular misting or adding a humidifier nearby. Your bathroom and kitchen are great spots to keep your Blue Star Fern, as these areas are most humid.
For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once a month during the spring and summer. Make sure soil is moist before fertilizing. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Your Blue Star Fern will thrive in average room temperatures between 65-80 degrees.
Your Blue Star Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from your plant to encourage healthy, rich, and green growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Kangaroo Fern
Your Kangaroo Fern prefers bright indirect light, but will adapt to lower lighting conditions. It will not tolerate direct sunlight, as the foliage will burn.
Your Kangaroo Fern is relatively hardy and will tolerate soil that dries out from time to time, but it prefers its soil to be kept moist–never wet or soggy. Water when the top 50% of soil is dry.
Your Kangaroo Fern will do just fine in average household humidity but will appreciate a boost in humidity through regular misting or adding a humidifier nearby. Your bathroom and kitchen are great spots to keep your Blue Star Fern, as these areas are most humidity.
Your Kangaroo Fern will thrive in average room temperatures between 65-80 degrees.
For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once a month during the spring and summer. Make sure soil is moist before fertilizing. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Your Kangaroo Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from your plant to encourage healthy, rich, and green growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Kimberly Queen Fern
Your Kimberly Queen Fern prefers bright, indirect light, but can survive in the direct sun if it’s watered on a regular basis and the soil remains moist.
Allow the top 2-3” of soil to dry out before watering. The fronds of the fern will become pale green when the plant needs water. Crispy brown fronds, especially in the center of the fern, usually indicate overwatering.
Your fern prefers slightly higher humidity. Mist the fronds on a regular basis, especially in the winter months when it’s drier inside.
This beautiful fern does not like to be cold, so it’s best to keep the temperature between 65-80 degrees. If the temperature falls below 60 degrees, it will stop growing.
For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer at half strength once every three months. Never feed a fern when the soil is dry, it will burn the fronds.
Kimberly Queen Ferns are non-poisonous to humans and pets.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy, rich, and green growth. Make sure your Kimberly Queen Fern is not in a drafty area in your home or office.
Lemon Button Fern
Your Lemon Button Fern will thrive in medium to bright indirect light. Take care to avoid direct sun exposure, as it will scorch the foliage.
Water your Lemon Button Fern when the top inch of the soil becomes dry, then thoroughly drench until the water drains into the saucer. Empty the saucer of any standing water so not to drown the roots. The worst thing you can do to you is to overwater – Button Ferns do not like soggy soil.
Your Lemon Button Fern requires an environment with higher humidity, making it the perfect bathroom or kitchen plant. Throughout the dryer times of the year, use a pebble tray to increase moisture, along with frequent misting.
The ideal temperature for your Lemon Button Fern is between 60-75 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and direct air from heating and cooling vents.
Use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength once every month during the spring and summer. No need to feed your plant in the winter, when growth naturally slows. Before applying any form of fertilizer, make sure the soil is damp. Never apply to dry soil.
Lemon Button Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets.
Watch for fronds that are yellowing and wilted, these are signs of overwatering. Brown leaf tips are caused by high temperatures (above 80 degrees) or dry air. Trim off any dry leaflets and raise the humidity around your plant with regular misting or a pebble tray.
Mahogany Fern
Your Mahogany Fern prefers bright indirect light but will adapt to lower light conditions. Keep out of direct sunlight, as it can burn the foliage.
Keep your Mahogany Fern’s soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Never allow your fern to dry out completely. Water enough so that water flows freely from the pot’s drainage hole into the saucer. Be sure to discard any standing water in the saucer. If your plant is left standing in water, root rot will occur.
The Mahogany Fern will appreciate added humidity. Kitchens and bathrooms are great spots for your fern. Misting often, place a humidifier nearby, or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
Your Mahogany Fern will thrive in normal room temperatures between 65-80 degrees.
Feed your fern once a month during the spring to end of summer with a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Your Mahogany Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy new growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Maidenhair Blush Fern
Your Maidenhair Blush Fern prefers bright indirect light but will adapt to medium light conditions. Keep out of direct sunlight, as it can burn the foliage.
Keep your Maidenhair Fern’s soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Never allow your fern to dry out completely. Water enough so that water flows freely from the pot’s drainage hole into the saucer. Be sure to discard any standing water in the saucer. If your plant is left standing in water, root rot will occur.
Your Maidenhair Fern will appreciate added humidity. Kitchens and bathrooms are great spots for your fern. Mist often, place a humidifier nearby, or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
Your Maidenhair Fern will thrive in normal room temperatures between 65-80 degrees. Keep your Fern away from blowing air or drafty areas, as it can cause damage to its delicate leaves.
Feed your fern once a month during the spring to end of summer with a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Your Maidenhair Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
As this plant is rather particular with humidity, it is normal to see occasional leaf browning. Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy new growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Maidenhair Oceanspray Fern
Your Maidenhair Fern prefers bright indirect light but will adapt to medium light conditions. Keep out of direct sunlight, as it can burn the foliage.
Keep your Maidenhair Fern’s soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Never allow your fern to dry out completely. Water enough so that water flows freely from the pot’s drainage hole into the saucer. Be sure to discard any standing water in the saucer. If your plant is left standing in water, root rot will occur.
Your Maidenhair Fern will appreciate added humidity. Kitchens and bathrooms are great spots for your fern. Mist often, place a humidifier nearby or use a pebble tray to boost humidity.
Your Maidenhair Fern will thrive in normal room temperatures between 65-80 degrees. Keep your Fern away from blowing air or drafty areas, as it can cause damage to its delicate leaves.
Feed your fern once a month during the spring to end of summer with a general houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.
Your Maidenhair Fern is non-toxic and pet-friendly.
As this plant is rather particular with humidity, it is normal to see occasional leaf browning. Regularly remove any dead fronds from the plant to encourage healthy new growth. Cut stems at the soil line with clean, sharp shears.
Silver Lace Fern
Your Silver Lace Fern will thrive in medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight–it will scorch the leaves.
Maintaining the correct soil moisture is key to keeping your Silver Lace Fern happy and healthy. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. When watering, soak thoroughly until water flows from the bottom of the pot through the drainage holes. Never let water collect and puddle in the saucer, as this can lead to root rot.
The Silver Lace Fern will appreciate a bit of extra humidity. Mist frequently and use a pebble tray to increase humidity levels.
The ideal room temperature for your Silver Lace Fern is between 55-75 degrees. If the temperature falls below 55 degrees, it will stop growing. Avoid drafts and direct air from heating and cooling vents.
Use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength once every month during the spring and summer. No need to feed your plant in the winter, when growth naturally slows. Before applying any form of fertilizer, make sure the soil is damp. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Silver Lace Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets.
For best results, water with filtered water. If you don’t have a filtration system, let tap water sit overnight to evaporate any harsh chemicals and then use the next day.
Silver Ribbon Fern
The Silver Ribbon Fern thrives in medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it will scorch the leaves.
Because your Silver Ribbon Fern has a shallow root system, the top inch of soil should remain a bit moist When watering, make sure to water enough so that the soil is completely damp–not soggy–and flows from the bottom of the pot through the drainage holes. Never let water collect and puddle in the saucer, as that can lead to root rot.
The Silver Ribbon Fern will appreciate a bit of extra humidity. Throughout the dryer times of the year, use a pebble tray and mist often.
The ideal temperature for your Silver Ribbon Fern is between 55-75 degrees. If the temperature falls below 55 degrees, it will stop growing. Avoid drafts and direct air from heating and cooling vents.
Use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer at half the recommended strength once every month during the spring and summer. There is no need to feed your plant in the winter, when growth naturally slows. Before applying any form of fertilizer make sure the soil is damp–never apply to dry soil.
Silver Ribbon Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets.
With a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears, trim off the older, outer fronds of Silver Ribbon Fern if they become shabby-looking. This makes room for new fronds ready to unfurl from the many growing points on the rhizome.
Staghorn Fern
Your Staghorn Fern will thrive in medium to bright indirectlight. It will not do well in low light situations.
The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. If the soil dries and the leaves start to wilt, water thoroughly and discard any excess water that has dripped into the saucer. Root rot will occur if your Staghorn Fern is left in standing water.
Your Staghorn Fern absorbs water through its fronds as well as its roots. This means that they respond well to misting and appreciate extra humidity. Throughout the dryer times of the year, use a pebble tray to increase humidity, along with regular misting.
The ideal temperature for your Staghorn Fern is between 50-85 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and direct air from a heating and cooling vents.
Use a general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer once every month during the spring and summer. No need to feed your plant in the winter, when growth naturally slows. Before applying any form of fertilizer, make sure the soil is damp. Never apply fertilizer to dry soil.
Staghorn Ferns are non-toxic to humans and pets.
Your Staghorn Fern can handle a bit of drought, even to the point of slightly wilting. However, they are sensitive to overwatering. Your Staghorn Fern requires less water in the winter, so decrease the frequency of your watering in the colder months.