Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) growing indoors may look a bit spare in winter or early spring. Brown tipping of the fronds (leaves) is most likely a result of low humidity and perhaps drying out a little too much between winter waterings. The indoor environment may also be a little too drafty or cold.
Should I cut brown leaves off Boston fern?
Cutting back brown fronds is good practice, and almost always benefits the plant. As well as improving the appearance of the fern, it reduces the risk of disease and stimulates new, healthy growth.
What does an overwatered Boston fern look like?
The first sign that a fern is overwatered is usually yellowing or wilted leaves. One surefire way to determine if it’s time to water a Boston fern is to touch the soil with your fingertip. If the surface of the soil feels slightly dry, it’s time to give the plant a drink.
What to do when fern leaves turn brown?
Low humidity indoors causes fern leaves to turn brown and crispy. Underwatering. Ferns should be watered thoroughly and the soil should be consistently moist (but not saturated). Dry soil causes the leaves to turn brown.
Why is my Boston fern turning brown? – Related Questions
How often should Boston ferns be watered?
Many people fear they will overwater their fern but Boston ferns crave water and need daily watering when outdoors, especial on hot summer days. On really hot days it’s a good idea to water your fern twice a day.
Can ferns come back after browning?
To revive dying ferns, emulate the fern’s natural environment with higher levels of humidity, shade, and water the fern as often as required to ensure the soil is consistently moist. Cut back any brown, yellow or dying leaves to help stimulate new growth and revive the fern.
Why are my fern leaves turning brown and crispy?
Why is my fern crispy? Fern fronds and leaves become crispy and dry when the plants are kept in an environment without enough humidity. Fern leaves will also become crispy if they are regularly exposed to too much direct sunlight or are underwatered.
Should I cut off old fern leaves?
Simply snip off any dead or ragged fronds before the new crosiers (leaf buds) start to unfurl in spring. Cut them off at the base with secateurs or snips, taking care not to damage any newly developing fronds. Clear away the debris to encourage good air circulation.
Can you revive brown plant leaves?
The fix: Leaves that are brown in the middle might signal that you need to repot your plant in new soil. For those plants with brown edges on their leaves, a thorough watering and more regular misting should do the trick.
How do you tell if a fern is over or Underwatered?
You can tell if your fern is under-watered if you notice reduced growth or wilting and/or shriveling of the leaves. Pay attention to the wilting leaves, as this could also mean that the plant is getting too much water. If the wilted leaves are turning yellow or falling off, then your Fern is being over watered.
Does Epsom salt help ferns grow?
It turns out that ferns are like people this way: they need magnesium and sulphur, too. And they can lose these substances over time through watering. Epsom salt to the rescue! Epsom salt has minerals perfect for fern growth and fern care.
Do you water ferns from the top or bottom?
Ferns do not like to dry out (even for a few hours) so keep them well watered. A note on this; ferns prefer to be watered from the bottom. As above, ferns hate full sun; even midday and morning sun can be too much.
How do I keep my Boston fern healthy?
Caring for a Boston fern
Keep the compost moist (but not wet) at all times during spring and summer. Water when the top few centimetres of compost become dry in autumn and winter. Mist your plant a couple of times a week. Feed with a weak liquid feed once a month in spring and summer.
How do you fix a brown Boston fern?
How Do I Fix Brown Fronds on Boston Fern?
- Repot Boston ferns using a mixture of 50% peat moss, 12% horticultural bark, and the rest perlite. This will have the excellent drainage the plant requires.
- Use a water-soluble plant food mixed to half the recommended strength every two weeks and once per month in winter.
Where is the best place to put a Boston fern?
Situate Boston ferns indoors in bright, indirect sunlight away from drafty doors and heating vents. Provide as much humidity as possible and carefully monitor the soil to ensure plants stay consistently moist. You can set the plants on pebble trays filled with water, so long as the pot does not sit in standing water.
How do you perk up Boston ferns?
Water the plant. If the soil is dirt dry, you will need to soak it in water for an hour or so, so it loosens up. Make sure all the excess water drains out the drainage holes. To prevent your Boston fern from dying from this cause in the future, make a habit of watering the plant regularly.
Can you put Miracle Grow in ferns?
Use Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food for larger Boston ferns and those grown outdoors, and Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food for smaller indoor Boston ferns. The amount you use to fertilize your fern will vary depending on its size, so be sure to follow the instructions on the label.
Do coffee grounds help ferns?
The fern will not thank you for adding coffee grounds. Coffee will put too much nitrogen in the soil for the fern, stopping the plant’s development. More importantly, coffee has an antibacterial effect and kills the germs necessary for the fern. Therefore, it is best to keep your fern away from coffee.