Okay, so I’ve been wanting to add some greenery to my indoor space, and I finally decided to get an autumn fern. I heard they’re pretty easy to take care of, but I wanted to make sure I did it right. Here’s how I went about bringing this little guy home and making sure he thrives.
Picking the Right Spot
First off, I made sure to find the right spot for it. I know these ferns like indirect light, so I picked a place near a north-facing window. It gets plenty of light, but not the harsh, direct sunlight that could scorch the leaves. The spot is also away from any drafts or heating vents—I figured those could dry out the fern.
Setting Up the Pot
Next up, I got a pot that’s just a bit bigger than the one the fern came in. I made sure it had drainage holes because I heard standing water is a big no-no for these plants. Then, I made a soil mix. I just grabbed some regular potting soil and mixed in some peat moss and perlite. I heard this helps with drainage and keeps the soil from getting too compacted, which I guess ferns don’t like.
Getting the Fern Settled In
I carefully took the fern out of its original pot and gently loosened the roots a bit. I didn’t want to mess with them too much, just enough so they weren’t all bunched up. I put some of my soil mix in the new pot, placed the fern on top, and then filled in around it with more soil. I made sure the soil level was about the same as it was in the old pot, so I didn’t bury the fern too deep.
Watering and Humidity
This is where I was a bit nervous, but it turned out okay. I gave the fern a good watering until water started coming out of the drainage holes. Then I let it drain completely. I’ve been checking the soil every few days by sticking my finger in about an inch. If it feels dry, I water it again. I also got a little spray bottle and mist the leaves a few times a week to keep the humidity up, which I hear these ferns love.
Keeping an Eye on It
I’ve been keeping an eye on my fern, making sure it’s doing okay. The leaves are still a nice, healthy green, and I’ve even seen some new fronds starting to unfurl. I did notice a couple of brown tips, so I trimmed those off with some clean scissors. It’s been a few weeks now, and it seems to be pretty happy in its new home.
Feeding It
A friend who has a ton of plants told me to feed my fern with a diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season, like spring and summer. She said to do it about once a month. I found a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer and diluted it to half the strength the instructions said. I’ve only done it once so far, but the fern seems to like it.
It’s been a fun little project, and I’m pretty stoked to see how my autumn fern grows. If you’re thinking about getting one, I’d say go for it. Just make sure you give it the right light, don’t overwater it, and keep that humidity up. Happy planting!
