Okay, here’s my personal take on caring for hanging ferns, based on my own, sometimes messy, journey:
So, I’ve always loved the look of those lush, overflowing hanging ferns. You know, the ones that look like they belong in a jungle? But I’ll be honest, I killed a few before I figured out what I was doing. Here is the process of how I finally started to succeed.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Fern
First, I picked out a Boston fern. I’d heard they were relatively easy, and I figured I needed all the help I could get. I also made sure to get a pot with drainage holes. Soggy roots are a big no-no for ferns, as I quickly learned the hard way.
The Planting Process
- I grabbed some potting mix – nothing fancy, just the regular kind.
- I gently loosened the fern’s roots from its original container. It looked pretty root-bound, poor thing.
- I placed a bit of potting mix in the bottom of the new hanging pot.
- Then, I carefully centered the fern in the pot and filled in around the sides with more soil. I made sure not to bury the crown of the fern (where the fronds emerge) – that’s a recipe for rot.
- I watered throughly.
Figuring Out the Watering
This is where I messed up the most in the beginning. I either underwatered and got crispy fronds, or overwatered and got yellow, sad ones.
Here’s my current watering routine:
- I stick my finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
- I water deeply, until water starts to drip out of the drainage holes.
- I always empty the saucer underneath, so the fern isn’t sitting in water.
Light and Humidity: My Makeshift Solutions
Ferns like bright, indirect light. Mine hangs near a window, but not directly in the sun’s rays. Direct sun can scorch the leaves, and believe me, I’ve seen it happen.
Humidity is also key. My house is pretty dry, especially in the winter.
So here are couple ways I tried.
- I simply placed a small humidifier near the plant.
- I set the fern’s pot on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water. As the water evaporates, it creates a bit of extra humidity around the plant.
Keeping it Going
I feed my fern with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer about once a month during the spring and summer. I don’t fertilize in the fall and winter, when the plant is kind of resting.
And that’s it. It really did take some trial and error, and I am still learning new things. My hanging fern is now thriving. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely a lot happier than those first few I sacrificed. Good luck with your fern adventures!
