How to Water Ferns Outside: A Complete Guide

Tips for Watering Your Ferns

• Avoid watering from above, which can cause the moisture to splash onto the leaves of your ferns. Instead, aim the water you give your ferns at the soil above their roots. It will trickle down into the root zone, where your ferns can absorb it and put it to use. These plants are only capable of absorbing water from the soil using their root network, so any that misses the soil and ends up on their foliage is wasted. Water droplets that land on foliage will eventually evaporate, but until they do, they pose a risk to the health of your ferns. The sun can heat the water up until it burns the leaves of your ferns, causing sunscald damage. The extra moisture also contributes to overly wet conditions, which increase the likelihood that your plants will contract certain diseases, like root rot and other fungal illnesses.

• The exception to the above rule is when you’re misting a fern to add extra humidity to its environment. Misting the foliage of your fern imitates the conditions of the tropics where fern plants originate from. Placing a humidifier in the room where indoor ferns are growing is another good solution. Ferns may show they’re craving more humidity with brown discoloration at the ends of their leaves, or areas may die completely. The Boston fern, maidenhair fern, and staghorn are especially susceptible to damage when humidity in their environment is low. Holly ferns don’t need as much humidity as other plants in the fern category. A fern’s native habitat offers 70 percent humidity (or even more), while the modern home where a fern may be kept as a houseplant is normally closer to five or 10 percent humidity. Using a room humidifier increases the humidity in that room to between 30 and 50 percent. This is the lowest humidity level for ferns to stay healthy and keep growing. Although the plants can sometimes survive at lower humidity, they need 30 to 50 percent in order to really flourish.

• Spots on the leaves of ferns you’re misting can occur if you use cold water. Water you give to plants (where you are providing hydration near the plant’s roots or misting its foliage with a spray bottle to increase humidity) should always be room temperature.

• If temperatures in your area climb above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) or, if your ferns are kept indoors, whenever the room they’re in gets warmer than this, the plants will need you to water them more often. Not only is the extra needed to help keep your plants cool—you’ll also lose more of the water in the soil to evaporation due to the increased temperature.

• If your ferns will be facing temperatures under 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius), they won’t need nearly as much water until things start heating up again. Only give them moisture in these conditions when the surface of the soil where they are growing is dry. (Don’t just make a visual determination—actually touch the soil to be sure.)

• Know the signs of overwatering and underwatering so that if your plants start showing the symptoms, you can take action to adjust your hydration routine accordingly. Ferns that are getting too much water may cause yellowed foliage, wilting, or eventually, root problems or fungal diseases. Underwatering will cause your ferns to wilt. Boston ferns are especially likely to drop leaves when they don’t get enough water. Because both overwatering and underwatering can cause wilting, differentiate between the two by checking the moisture level of the soil. If wilting is happening while there’s moisture available to the plant in the soil, it must be due to overwatering.

• If you’re having trouble keeping your ferns well hydrated, consider using a second pot to make more moisture available. Find a container to place underneath the one the plant is potted in (so the bottom container must be the same size as or larger than your plant’s container). Add moist sphagnum moss to the bottom container, lining it completely. You’ll need to keep this moss evenly moist at all times, as it’s where your plant will draw its water from. Plastic pots are your best option for the bottom container. You can use a clay pot as the one holding the fern, though— as long as the one it sits inside of is plastic. The porous nature of the clay will be a benefit, as the moisture from the moss in the plastic pot will be able to soak through the clay pot’s surface to reach the soil where the fern is growing.

• The rabbit’s foot fern, sometimes called the ball fern, (Phlebodium aureum) is vulnerable to salinity in their soil or water supply. It’s important to water rabbit’s foot ferns with soft water for this reason.

How to Water Fern Plants

Ferns really flourish when they have access to a consistent and plentiful supply of water. After all, many of these plants come from the tropics, where rainfall is both ample and frequent, and humidity makes even the air a little damp. When they aren’t in the tropics, this supply of moisture must be provided from the gardener (although of course you’ll take rainfall into account when it hydrates ferns that are kept outdoors).

Keep your ferns happy by making sure that the soil where they’re growing stays damp. Although you should be shooting for soil that stays evenly moist, you don’t want it to be waterlogged or overly saturated. Whenever the surface of the soil is dry, you should water your fern plants again. Don’t let their soil dry out completely.

There are a few exceptions, ferns that don’t need consistently moist soil in order to thrive. These varieties include brake ferns (Pteris), holly ferns (Cyrtomium falcatum), and rabbit’s foot ferns (Phlebodium aureum). For these fern types, you should allow the soil to become slightly dry before watering the plants again.

Stop Killing Your Boston Ferns! Full Care Guide

FAQ

How often should you water ferns outside?

Daily water is ideal but a minimum of once every 3 days (a deep soak) is a must. 5. Mist the ferns on dry/hot days to maintain a humid environment. 6.Jul 16, 2021

How do you keep ferns alive outside?

The main points for caring for ferns: Bright, but indirect light Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but don’t let the plant sit with “wet feet.” If you fertilize, use a nitrogen fertilizer, but diluted to 1⁄4 recommended strength at most. Ferns are not flowering plants–their nutrient needs are less.

How do you tell if a fern is overwatered?

If the wilted leaves are turning yellow or falling off, then your Fern is being over watered. In addition, if you notice green or grey mossy growth on the top of the soil, this is another indication that the plant is waterlogged. Over watering can lead to root rot or other fungal diseases.

Do ferns like to be sprayed with water?

Household ferns won’t tolerate dry conditions for long; their fronds will quickly turn brown, and they will begin to drop leaves. Mist your ferns as often as practical, preferably in the morning. Keep a spray bottle handy and get into the habit of regularly misting based on your fern’s needs.

Do ferns need a lot of water?

Here are some important considerations for watering your ferns, particularly during the growth phase in spring and summer. Ferns require ample water during these seasons, and even slight overdrying can cause the young shoots to fall off. It’s recommended to check your fern’s moisture level daily during summer.

How to care for ferns outside?

Remember to always check the soil moisture, choose well-draining soil and containers, and be mindful of overwatering to keep your ferns healthy and happy. To ensure the optimal growth and health of your ferns outside, it is crucial to pay attention to the soil pH levels.

How do you keep ferns watered properly?

You don’t need to maintain a journal of your watering schedule or remember the specifics of how much or how often to water your fern. The finger test method by feeling the potting mix is the simplest and most effective way to keep your ferns watered correctly. Trust me; it works like a charm in my experience.

Should ferns be watered early in the day?

Water your ferns early in the day. This practice reduces evaporation and allows water to reach the roots before the heat of the day can cause stress to the plant. Use Rainwater When Possible Before watering, perform a simple soil test. Push your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If the soil feels dry at that level, it’s time to water.

Do ferns need to be watered in winter?

Proper watering during winter is essential for the health of your ferns. While ferns generally require less water during the colder months, they still need adequate moisture to survive. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance and avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Follow these winter watering guidelines for your ferns:

How do you plant ferns outside?

When planting your ferns outside, make sure to choose a location with well-draining soil. If you have heavy clay soil, consider amending it with organic matter such as compost or peat moss to improve drainage. In addition to the soil, the choice of container or planting bed can also affect drainage.