- How often should ferns be watered?
- What should be considered when repotting room ferns?
- Does an indoor fern need to be cut?
- Which pests can infest a room fern?
- How do diseases or care errors manifest themselves in a room fern?
- Should ferns be fertilized?
- Are special measures required in winter?
"The" room fern does not actually exist, as various types of ferns can be found in specialist shops that are well suited for cultivation in pots within your own four walls. However, the types of fern sold as room ferns all have similar location requirements, which is why the required care can be brought down to a common denominator.
Ferns need a lot of water
How often should ferns be watered?
Basically, ferns need a lot of water and should never dry out completely. However, these plants do not tolerate standing waterlogging. Planters with a drainage option for excess water are therefore recommended for indoor ferns. Water at the latest when the top layer of soil has dried. Occasionally, indoor ferns can also be dipped in water with the entire root ball or showered with the fronds. In order to easily maintain the right level of moisture, room ferns are often cultivated in clay granules as hydroponics, since as tree ferns they are usually not very dependent on the substrate used anyway. Please note that all types of indoor ferns may only be watered with very low-lime water.
What should be considered when repotting room ferns?
Repotting an indoor fern, including replacing the substrate, can not only protect against deficiency symptoms and diseases, it is sometimes necessary to give the specimen more space to grow. Room ferns are quite insensitive to this and can be repotted all year round without any problems. Wear gloves when repotting if it is one of the more toxic indoor fern species.
Does an indoor fern need to be cut?
You can carefully prune the indoor fern for a number of reasons:
- to keep overgrowing specimens compact
- to remove unsightly or dead fronds
- to stimulate the growth of new fronds and thus a rejuvenation of the plant
Ferns are not particularly sensitive to pruning, provided a pruning tool with a sharp, clean blade is used.
Which pests can infest a room fern?
As a rule, indoor ferns do not suffer from any significant pest infestation.
How do diseases or care errors manifest themselves in a room fern?
Since room ferns are already "protected" by their location, diseases hardly ever occur. Ailing specimens usually indicate location and care errors, which can lead to stunted growth or dying leaves.
Should ferns be fertilized?
Apart from a bright location without direct sunlight and sufficient low-lime liquid, indoor ferns only need very few nutrients for their growth. Therefore, all types of fertilizer or compost should always be used very sparingly.
Are special measures required in winter?
Some room ferns go into a kind of dormant phase in winter, during which they look a little less vital. This is usually reflected in the increase in light supply in spring.
tips
Pay particular attention to an inaccessible location for a poisonous house fern if children or pets live in the household. The spores of indoor ferns, some of which are quite harmful, should be removed regularly so that they are not accidentally inhaled.