Indoor ferns: care

Ferns are plants that can be kept indoors

What will the ferns have that we like so much? Its exoticism? Its easy maintenance? The truth is that I could not say. There are many varieties, and a good percentage of them can be grown indoors, so luckily for us it is possible to turn the home, or at least a part of it, into an orchard.

So that let's get to know the care of indoor ferns, and by the way we will also see some of the most recommended species.

Indoor fern care guide

Indoor ferns need light

Indoor ferns need specific care to be well. It must be borne in mind that they cannot lack light (but not direct sun), nor humidity nor a rich soil that allows the roots to grow normally. For this reason, it is important to place them in the right areas, and give them proper maintenance.

So let's start at the beginning:

Where to put a fern at home?

Ferns inside the house they must be in a room where there is a lot of light coming from outside. But at no time should you hit them directly, otherwise their fronds would burn. To give you an idea, I have several in one in which there are two windows facing east. A lot of light enters (it is in fact the room where there is more light), but the plants are or just below the window frames, and in corners where the light does not fall directly on them.

Another point to keep in mind is that air currents harm them. Therefore, in the place where you put them there should be no fans, no air conditioning, or any device that generates these types of currents.

What pot do they need?

The pots must have holes for the holly

The pot can be made of plastic or clay, this is indifferent. Yes you have to think that those made of clay allow the roots to "grip" better, since it is a porous material, and that will influence the growth of the fern a bit (it can grow somewhat faster). But the plastic one is cheaper, and if you have more plants in the end it is more worth buying one of these.

However what it must have, yes or yes, is holes in its base. And better if there are several small ones and not one large one in the center. Unlike aquatic ferns, those that are terrestrial (which are the ones that are most sold) do not tolerate waterlogging; hence it is so important that the pot has holes through which the water comes out.

What substrate do I put on them?

I confess that when it comes to ferns I do not like to skimp on expenses for the substrate. They are demanding plants that need a rich, light soil that drains water well. But don't worry, luckily it is becoming easier to find very good quality earth bags at increasingly cheaper prices.

For example, this from the brand Weedness Terra Profesional whose 50-liter bag is worth 9 euros, or this other from Boom Nutrients whose 20-liter bag is worth 6,90 euros. I have bought both once, and they are certainly highly, highly recommended. They are both light, and the plants grow which is delightful.

Of course, you can also make your own mix, like this: 50% Black peat + 30% sand + 20% worm castings.

When and how to water indoor ferns?

This is another touchy subject. Indoors, temperatures are always more or less stable, and as they are well protected from the sun and there is no wind, the substrate takes longer to dry. For this reason, doubts often arise about when to water them, because in addition we are talking about plants that need to have a moist substrate, but not flooded.

So, in general, I advise watering them a couple of times a week during the summer. When it begins to cool, the waterings will be spaced a little. In winter-spring they will be watered once a week, more or less. It will depend on the temperatures in your area, since there is not the same climate in Asturias as in Tenerife for example. The warmer it is, the more you have to water. When in doubt, a moisture meter could always be used, such as this.

On how to water them, it must always be done by pouring the water into the substrate. That is, the plant must not be wet. Also, it is important to use a water that does not have a lot of lime. The water would be worth for human consumption, or even if you have a well or similar that is filled with rainwater, you can use that water.

Do they need humidity?

Indoor ferns need moisture

Ferns indoors they need moisture, Yes. To provide it you can do several things, such as sprinkling them with lime-free water during the summer, putting glasses of water around them, or placing plants around them.

But none of that will be necessary if you live on an island, or in an area where the humidity is already high. So if you have doubts, consult a meteorology website in your country (such as the AEMET website, if you are in Spain), or purchase one home weather station.

Do they have to be paid?

Yeah right. The ferns that are indoors need to be fertilized throughout their growing season, that is, in spring and summer. It is important that it be done, since this way we will get healthier, stronger, and more resistant plants. For this, we advise using organic fertilizers, such as guano (for sale here) or the earthworm humus. Of course, they must be liquid so that the roots absorb it faster.

In addition, the indications specified on the packaging must be followed. Always. Although they are natural fertilizers, if we exceed the indicated dose we can lose our indoor ferns, since their roots would burn.

When should they change pot?

Although they are plants that do not grow much in height (with exceptions, such as tree ferns, cyathea cooperi, Balantium antarcticum, among others), they will need a larger pot as the years go by. Although they are relatively slow, they will have to be transplanted several times throughout their life, in spring.

To know exactly if they have a change or not, We have to look at whether the roots come out of the holes in the pot, but also whether their fronds have already occupied it all.. And it would not be surprising if we have a fern that needs a transplant, but whose roots do not show through the holes.

So, in these cases, what we will do is take the plant from the base, and extract it carefully: if the earth bread comes out without falling apart, then we can change it to another larger pot.

What are indoor ferns?

Now that we know how to care for these plants indoors, we will know the names of eight varieties that can be grown without problems indoors:

adiantum raddianum (Maidenhair)

The Adiantum raddianum is a small fern

Image - Flickr / Ben Etherington

The fern known as maidenhair is a small plant, native to tropical America, that grows between 15 and 50 centimeters tall, and that it has green fronds which sprout from very thin stems of black color. It can be grown in the bathroom, since it requires a lot of humidity, but it must not lack natural light.

Asplenium scolopendrium (Deer tongue)

The Asplenium scolopendrium is a fern that can be indoors

Image - Wikimedia / Salicyna

The fern known as the deer tongue or cervina tongue is very similar to the bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus), but it is somewhat more resistant, which is why we have opted for it. Reaches a height of between 40 and 75 centimeters, and its fronds are whole, leathery and smooth in texture, and bright green.

Blechnum humps (blechno)

The Blechnum gibbum is a tree fern that cannot stand the cold

Image - Wikimedia / Krzystzof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

The blecno is an arboreal fern native to the rainforests of New Caledonia. It grows between 1 and 2 meters tall, and has green fronds up to 1 meter long. It is a species that will bring exoticism and its particular tropical touch to your home.

Microsorum pteropus (Java fern)

Java fern can be in an aquarium

Image - Wikimedia / Pinpin

El java fern with simple, lanceolate and green fronds native to Thailand, Malaysia, China and of course the island of Java. Grows up to 35 centimeters in height, for about the same diameter, so it works very well in medium pots. Of course, it must be planted in stony substrate. It can even be in a hot, fresh water aquarium (the temperature should be around 18-30ºC) with rocks, partially or totally submerged.

nephrolepis high (Sword fern)

The Nephrolepis exaltata is a hardy fern

Image - Flickr / Leonora (Ellie) Enking

El sword fern It is a species that we see a lot indoors. And it is that it has fronds that can exceed one meter in length, and whose maximum height is 60 centimeters. It is, therefore, a good size plant, ideal for decorating large rooms. A classic that never fails, requires little care, and always looks very beautiful.

Platycerium alcicorne (Elk horn)

The Platycerium alcicorne is an indoor fern

Image - Wikimedia / Liné1

The elkhorn is an epiphytic fern native to the Seychelles and Comoros Islands, as well as Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. It is, therefore, a tropical species, that does not bear the cold, but that lives very well indoors. It has green fronds covered with very short white hairs, about 40 centimeters long. It is interesting to grow in hanging pots, in rooms where there is a lot of natural light.

Pteridium aquiline (Eagle fern)

The eagle fern is a fast growing plant

El eagle fern It is a species that grows in the warm and temperate regions of the world. Its fronds are up to 2 meters long, and reaches a height of up to 1 meter. It is very interesting as a hanging plant, although we recommend having it in a normal pot since as it grows it may be unfeasible to have it hanging from the ceiling.

And you, do you have indoor ferns?


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