Keeping a fern as a houseplant in the apartment is no longer a rarity these days. But without time and effort, this plant will not remain vigorous and lively for years. It should be repotted regularly.

Ferns in a pot need space for roots: if the pot is too small, repotting is the order of the day

Spring - the best time for repotting

As with most other plants, spring is the best time to repot ferns after they have overwintered (between February and March). By May at the latest, he should have migrated from his old home to a new home.

You should not repot your fern later. If it is in the process of budding its new fronds and is therefore outside its resting period, it is reluctant to forgive a change of location. He can take damage and get brown fronds.

How often should it be repotted?

The frequency of repotting depends on the type of fern and its growth rate. Most young ferns need to be repotted every 1 to 2 years. Older ferns are sufficient to be repotted every 3 to 4 years. Rarely - usually every 4 to 6 years - the leisurely growing cycads have to be repotted.

Divide before repotting and remove old ballast

Before repotting, you have the chance to rid your fern of old ballast such as dead roots and brown fronds. At the same time, a suitable time has come for sharing. The following types of fern can be easily divided:

  • maidenhair fern
  • sickle fern
  • button fern
  • tree fern

This is how you repot properly!

Flat bowls as well as half-height and wide pots are best suited as containers, since ferns are usually shallow-rooted. Hanging baskets are also ideal for these plants. The location for the container should be bright, semi-shady to shady, warm, humid and protected from drafts (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, stairwell).

How to proceed:

  • provide suitable substrate e.g. B. Potting soil
  • create a drainage layer
  • Fill the new pot about 1/3 full with new substrate
  • Lift fern out of old pot
  • gently shake off old soil
  • Place fern in new pot and cover with soil
  • press and pour

tips and tricks

Only repot when the roots completely fill the old pot and are sticking out at the bottom!

Category:

Vegetable garden