Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:23 pm
On the beautiful forest dwellers with lush leafy fronds some do not even get involved, because they are considered delicate and somewhat difficult to care for. Too bad, because there are also more robust fern species. We reveal what requirements are important in the location and care.
Ferns have a fascinating effect on us, because they are older than mankind, and they reproduce in an extraordinary way. They also provide a certain jungle atmosphere, which is simply due to their origin, as most ferns come from the tropical rainforests.
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Things to know about indoor ferns
However, their associated preference for moist, warm air makes them quite difficult for us to keep indoors. Beginners should not try the delicate maidenhair fern or the lush sword fern right away, but first try leather fern, pellet fern, gold dot fern or antler fern. These species are hardier and some even do quite well with heated air.
Care instructions for indoor ferns
Otherwise, all indoor ferns, with a few exceptions, are cared for similarly: Place them in light to partial shade and also avoid drafts or cold in the root zone. The substrate should be well water-retaining, very humusy, loose and always moist, but not waterlogged. Water with soft, room-warm water. From March to August, apply green plant fertilizer in half concentration every two weeks.
Tip: To increase humidity, place the planters in bowls filled with pebbles and water for this purpose. However, the water level should not be higher than the pebble layer.
Popular fern species
The three most popular indoor ferns are probably antler fern (Platycerium), sword fern (Nephrolepis) and maidenhair fern (Adiantum). The former is the least sensitive of them all. The perching plant can be tied up on wood or bark or placed in permeable substrate. The staghorn fern also requires low-lime water. Younger plants have a leaf fur that protects against desiccation.
Robust indoor ferns
Golden Stipple Fern
Phlebodium aureum can produce fronds over half a meter long. The perennial plant does well in potting soil. Keep it evenly moist and place it in bright but not full sun.
Cretan hem fern
Pteris cretica is a fairly hardy fern. The wild species is found in the Mediterranean region, among other places. In the room, one keeps the variegated and variegated cultivated forms.
The fern wants to stand in partial shade to shade and prefers low-calcium, humus substrate that you keep evenly moist. Make sure the humidity is as high as possible, then the plant will not get brown leaf tips.
Pelle fern in closeup – well suited as an indoor fern
Pelle fern
Pellaea rotundifolia, a small rock fern, colonizes warm, sunlit limestone in its natural habitat. It likes it not too humid, tolerates calcareous water and dry heating air. It should be placed in bright, but not full sun.
Sword fern
Nephrolepis exaltata, the very popular indoor fern, feels most comfortable in a bright bathroom. It must be kept constantly moist with soft, stagnant, room-warm water. In drier rooms, the sword fern is additionally sprayed daily. It reacts to ball dryness by dropping leaves. However, new leaves will always sprout from the rhizome. Since it grows very fast, it should be fertilized regularly.
Maidenhair fern
Adiantum raddianum wants a very humid and warm location. It should be regularly sprayed with water low in lime and water bowls should be placed. When watering, tact is required. The soil should be evenly moist and should first dry slightly before watering the maidenhair fern again.
Nest fern
Asplenium nidus produces large leaves up to one meter long. The warmer it stands, the more care should be taken to ensure sufficiently high humidity. The leaves react to cold splashing water with brown spots. If possible, use room-warm, soft water. In addition, the nest fern should stand in partial shade.
Leather fern
Arachniodes adiantiformis is hardier than most other indoor ferns. It tolerates dry air quite well, but still spray occasionally in winter. The fern grows very bushy. Therefore, there is usually enough humidity between the fronds and a comfortable climate is ensured.
Press art
Are you looking for an original gift or do you want an uncomplicated fern for your study? Then our particularly easy-care variant is certainly something for you:
Simply press beautiful fern fronds between a few layers of newspaper and a few books. Then place these in so-called floating picture frames.
Tip: Fix the pressed fronds on the back with double-sided adhesive tape.