Ferns

Q. Can I propagate a fern through cuttings? Thanks.

A. No I am sorry you cannot. They do not prop that way with any success to speak of. The best way to propagate ferns is to divide them. They readily split and send up new growth from the roots. That is why ferns are so thick and clumpy.

Take the pot and lay on newspaper knock the fern out and gently shake off some soil. Break the plant apart and you will see that there are up to a dozen or so plants in there. That is how we separated ferns in the greenhouses and never had to buy new ones.

By breaking up one we were able to get so many new ones and potted them into their own 4 inch pot with loose organic soft potting mix made for ferns. Do not use heavy soil or they will rot.

Keep evenly watered and shaded until they start to form more roots and show signs of growing. Feed when they are well-established with a general house plant food once a month. Never allow to dry out or the lower fronds will shed leaves like crazy!

Q. I have moved from one house to another and I'm concerned about my fern. During moving the fern dried out and I need to know if it's better to cut the dried and dead leaves or pull them from the soil. Does the fern do better in sunny partly sunny or sunless rooms? I heard they like the moisture in showers. I think the plant is still healthy and I'd like to help it grow.

A. Ferns can be a wonderful and easy to grow house plant. I have some ideas for you to try out and get your plant back to a good growing specimen.

Using sharp clean scissors cut off all dead frond stems as close to the soil line as possible. You do not want to tug them as it will damage the roots. You also do not want to leave dead stems near the soil as it could lead to disease and possible rot.

Ferns do well in good light but inside they do not care for strong direct sunlight. Filtered light through curtains sheers or diffused by other plants closer to the windows give the amount of light they desire and need to thrive. early morning sun is better as the PM western light is stronger and may lead to leaf burn and death.

Ferns are natives to woodsy forests. They love moisture in the air [high humidity]. You can use a sprayer with tepid tap water and mist the leaves regularly when not in the light. Place saucers under the pots filled with tiny pebbles and place water in them. Have the bottom of the pot elevated above the water so that it does not sit directly in it which would lead to root rot.

Bathrooms or kitchens are excellent spots for ferns given good light coupled with higher humidity from running water in sinks baths and showers.

Q. There are many kinds of indoor ferns. I have been trying to find ferns that I can grow in the shade by my garage. Would you please give some names of ferns that I can try to find?

A. Yes there are many which grow both indoors and outdoors since the house plants merely are ones from the wilds which perform well indoors can take lower light and humidity need little care except water and some food now and again and repotting every couple years. Here is a list to look for at your local nursery and garden centers:

Northern Maidenhair Adiantum pedatum
Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes
Lady Fern   Athyrium filix-femina
Japanese Painted Fern   Athyrium nipponicum var. pictum
Hay-scented Fern Dennsteadtia punctilobula
Leather Wood Fern Dryopteris marginalis
Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris
Sensitive Fern  Onoclea sensibilis
Cinnamon Fern Osmunda cinnamomea
Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides

Others I have thought of are: Rabbit's Foot Fern Spiny Wood Fern Bracken Fern

If it is an outdoor nursery looks healthy buy one of it and see how it does in your semi-shaded spots. If it dies you have not lost much. If it does well go plant more and care for them to enjoy!