Ferns are members of the class Polypodiopsida, and they’re found throughout the world from the tropics to the arctic. With thousands of fern species taking a variety of forms, the diversity of this group of plants makes them popular choices for both indoor and outdoor garden plants. Ferns as houseplants became especially popular in the late 19th century, and while they've fallen in and out of fashion over the years they’re a perennial favorite for plant lovers everywhere. Right now many of us are planning our spring gardens or considering new houseplants, so let’s learn a bit about ferns and about growing ferns at home. Who knows—they might be the right choice for you!
What Are Ferns, Exactly?
Let’s start by discussing what ferns are, exactly, and how that affects how we grow them. Ferns are vascular plants—meaning that they have structures similar to blood vessels that distribute water and nutrients throughout the plant—and they do not produce flowers or seeds. Rather, ferns reproduce via spores which are produced on the underside of their fronds (a fancy word for the leaf/stem structure of ferns and similar plants). When the time comes, the spores drop from the fronds and are distributed by the wind or by hitching a ride on a passing animal or person.
Despite these peculiarities, ferns grow much like other plants do—they have a root structure to keep them anchored, store energy, and gather nutrients and water from the soil. Their fronds contain chlorophyll which enables photosynthesis from sunlight. So while ferns are a bit different than many typical garden plants, there’s no reason to be intimidated by them.
Growing Ferns at Home and in the Garden
There’s a fern for nearly every environment, so the first step in growing ferns in your own garden space is to identify the fern that’s right for you. It also means that it’s difficult to give generalized advice about ferns—you’ll need to read the plant label carefully, talk to folks at your local nursery or garden club, or do some online research. Hint: you can reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help.
Even with all their diversity, many common garden and houseplant ferns have a few traits in common so we’ll share some tips for them here. Again, there are thousands of species of ferns so not all of them share these needs, but this should cover many common types of ferns you’ll find at a local nursery or garden store:
· Many popular ferns thrive in moist, well-drained soil. This is best accomplished in containers by using a good general purpose potting mix and a container that facilitates easy draining. We’ve had our best luck with either terra cotta or fabric containers, which allow for good drainage and good air circulation. Make sure any drain holes are clear and keep the soil damp but not saturated.
· Many popular ferns like moisture and humidity. In especially dry climates or spaces this may involve using a humidifier to keep the air moist or keeping them inside an indoor greenhouse. It’s difficult to generalize but 40% to 50% humidity is the ideal range for most ferns. Again, please do a bit of research on the particular species of fern you end up adopting, as their needs can vary widely.
· Some ferns can be light and temperature sensitive, but the good news is that this can make them easier to grow in low light spaces. For example, the popular Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) thrives in warm temperatures and bright indirect light. Most popular ferns need temperatures of between 60-70F/15-21C in order to feel their best—though they will tolerate temperatures outside of that range—and in many environments may do well as container plants that get some protection in extremes of heat or cold.
· Finally a quick note: if you see black or dark green spots on the underside of your fern’s fronds, that’s probably not disease or a pest. Those are most likely the spores ferns use for reproduction—as long as there are no other signs of trouble, there’s no need to worry.
Fern Pests and Diseases
Ferns are popular in part because they’re relatively easy to grow—there’s a fern for every space and most environments—and that also means they’re relatively free of pests and diseases. Scales—small, hard-bodied insects—can pose a problem for some ferns, as can mealybugs which are named for the soft downy or mealy substance that covers them.
The best solution is to be proactive in preventing problems with your ferns. Inspect them regularly as you do all your plants, and inspect new plants before bringing them home. If you see signs of a bug infestation, wipe the fronds and stems down with a clean damp cloth to manually remove the intruders.
While less common with indoor ferns, those of us in warmer climates may run into the Florida fern caterpillar or Florida fern moth (Callopistria floridensis). These bugs really, really love ferns—the moths seek them out to lay their eggs and the resulting caterpillars will happily eat your fern fronds! The best defense is again regular inspection and manual removal—one guide we read recommended gently shaking the plant to remove the offending caterpillars and then stomping on them. You can also just pick them off manually and drop them in a bucket of soapy water, if that suits you better. Dispose of them in the trash, not your compost heap, in order to avoid future infestations.
Ferns are for Everyone!
We like ferns. They add a lovely lush texture to either landscaping or indoor gardening, fit well into many spaces, and can be a wonderful easy-to-care-for addition to a collection of houseplants. If you’re new to plants, ferns might be a good starting point—there’s so many that they can become a hobby on their own. For seasoned gardeners, ferns can be a welcome addition to landscaping, a patio space, or an indoor garden of houseplants. The possibilities are endless so we hope you’ll consider adding ferns to your garden this year.
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