How to Care for American Ferns

Many people are born with a natural talent for gardening, and their houses are always green with trees. If you’re not one of them, don’t worry – there are many plants that novices like you can grow too! The American fern is one such plant. It is one of the most planted ferns with long feathery branches that can bring life to any space. You can help your American fern thrive indoors or outdoors with just a little knowledge and care.

Table of Contents

Create a favorable environment

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Gather gardening materials. American ferns grow best in a potting mix of peat moss, sand, and garden soil. You can buy everything at garden supply stores. The finished mixture will have all the above ingredients in equal proportions. ^{[1] X Source of Research} The pot should be large enough for the plant to grow comfortably without its roots reaching close to the drainage hole, but also not so wide that it puts the plant at risk of “root rot”. ^{[2] X Research Source}

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Plant the plant in a pot. Place the soil mixture and plant the plant in a clean pot with a drainage hole in the bottom. You can plant ferns in the top half of the pot so that the roots have plenty of room. Fill the rest of the pot with soil, leaving about 2.5cm from the top of the pot. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

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Place the plant outdoors in a warm and humid environment. In many regions, summer is a season that is warm and humid enough to provide the perfect environment for American ferns. This plant grows best in conditions of at least 50% humidity. If your area has daytime temperatures between 18-24 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures between 13-18 degrees Celsius, American ferns can thrive outdoors. ^{[4] X Research Resources} You can place plants in your hallway or yard, and they will do just fine.

Cold temperatures at night will help prevent mold growth.

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Place the plant in the room at the right temperature. If you’re growing plants indoors, whether permanent or temporary during the winter months, you need to pay attention to providing moisture. If possible, it is best to keep the plant in a room with a humidifier. Maintain room temperature between 18-24 degrees Celsius, and move the plant to a cooler room at night. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

If you don’t want to buy a humidifier, there are a few other options. You can place the potted plant on a drip tray containing gravel and water. The water will evaporate and create moisture.

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Provides indirect light for plants. The American fern grows best when it receives indirect sunlight. If you leave the tree outdoors, you need to choose a place where the tree can receive sunlight through branches or openings in the porch roof. If you keep potted plants indoors, you should choose a location near a window. Do not place the plant in the shade, but also do not expose it to direct sunlight. You need balance. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Care for lush plants

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Maintain moisture in the soil. As with sun, you need to give the fern enough water, but not too much. Water with slightly warm water so that the soil is completely moist but not soggy. During the hot months, you will need to water more often. Remember never to let the soil dry out. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Winter is not the “growing season” for the American fern. You can water less, and should allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. As new leaves appear, start watering the plant more often to keep the soil moist.

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Fertilize the plant every 2 months. American ferns don’t need much fertilizer, but it’s better to fertilize every 2 months during the warmer months of the year. Buy fertilizer for houseplants at any garden supply store. Read the directions for use on the package and dilute to half the recommended concentration.

You can stop fertilizing in the winter months.

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Prune bare or discolored leaves. These twigs look like leaf-covered branches growing out of a tree. The old leaves may turn yellow or fall causing unsightly. Use sharp, clean scissors to remove these branches at the base of the tree. This will stimulate new, healthy shoots to grow. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

The best time to prune an American fern is spring or summer, the growing season of the tree.

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Protect plants from insects. Fortunately, American ferns are not usually the target of insect attack, but they do attract insects from time to time. Do not use any harsh chemicals on the plant. You can spray mild insecticides or natural insect repellents and monitor. Hope that’s all you need for pest control ^{[9] X Research Source}

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Keep the plant dormant throughout the winter. Luckily, you have a way to make sure the American fern survives the winter. When the temperature drops below 4.5 degrees Celsius, bring the plant indoors. It doesn’t matter if the tree turns brown or loses its leaves. Water the plant in moderation once a week and do not fertilize during this time of year. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Steps

Create a favorable environment

Care for lush plants

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