Growing House Ferns

Ferns make great houseplants if you grow them where light levels and temperatures are low and the humidity is high.

By Charlie Nardozzi

 

If you're looking for a houseplant that does well in low light conditions and you don't need one that blooms, consider ferns. There are many different types of ferns to grow indoors, but most have the same requirements: low light, high humidity, and cool temperatures. It's best to grow ferns in a north- or east-facing window. A south- or west-facing window gets too much direct sun for these shade-lovers.

Ferns love high humidity. That's why the tradition is to grow them in a bathroom that has a shower. Consider placing the fern pots on a pebble tray with water in it. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the fern plants, keeping them happy. Also, group ferns together and mist them with a spray bottle of water to increase the humidity.

Most ferns grow best with temperatures in the 60s F. They also like the soil to be evenly moist. If allowed to dry out, some ferns will drop their fronds, making a mess in the house. When watering, use room-temperature water. Cold water that gets on the fronds may cause spotting.

Ferns don't need fertilizer in winter, but in spring through fall, add a low dose of houseplant fertilizer monthly.

 

Here are some different varieties of ferns to grow indoors:

 

Boston Fern:

This traditional, hanging houseplant has light green, delicate fronds, but if the soil dries out, the fronds dry and drop, which can make this a messy plant to grow indoors.

 

Button Fern

This small plant only grows 12 inches tall and has small buttonlike fronds. It's great for small areas.

 

Bird's-Nest Fern:

One of the easiest ferns to grow, it has broad, light green leaves that reach 24 inches and have the appearance of a bird's nest.

 

Rabbit-Foot Fern

This fern is great as a hanging plant. It has furry, creeping rhizomes that hang over the pot edge. They look like baby rabbits' feet.