Growing Ferns as Indoor Houseplants

Although the heat index is nearly 105 degrees outside of my house at the moment, I'm already preparing for the Autumn to arrive. My midwestern roots have me convinced that August means the Fall is approaching, regardless of the fact that I've lived in the South for the last ten years and being well-aware that it doesn't actually cool down in the South until late-October.

Nevertheless, Autumn will be returning at some point, and Autumn makes me think of ferns! I used to take ferns for granted, acknowledging them as nothing more than a plant found throughout the forest or festooning an occasional front porch. Recently, I've come to love them as a unique indoor plant that can really fill up a small space!

There are over 10,000 known ferns, each with their own individual quirks. The Boston Fern is possibly the most popular in the southern United States... at least based on my own scientific research of visiting the local Wal Mart and Home Depot garden centers recently.

Overall, most ferns do best when given filtered, indirect sunlight. As they're typically found near the bottom of the dank, scraggly woods, they should be kept in similar environments as indoor plants. So, make your home is dank and scraggly! Haha... actually, an area away from excess sunlight is optimal for indoor ferns. Too much direct sunlight can burn the fern's fronds and can ultimately kill them.

Watering is key when it comes to ferns. Don't let your fern sit in constant water, but certainly water frequently, whenever you notice the soil starting to dry.

Also, as ferns enjoy a more humid environment, placing the pot on a tray of pebbles will create humidity around the fern. Another suggestion is to mist the fern often. Pretty much whenever you think about misting the fern, you should go mist the fern. 

As with other plants that prefer humid environments, ferns work well in kitchens or bathrooms, as these rooms are typically more humid than the rest of the house. Also, keep your ferns away from draftier areas of your home.

Ferns do require some fertilization as well, so using a fertilizer will help your fern prosper indoors.

If you're in the market for a new fern, you can explore our collection here!

~Happy Planting! 💚