New plants are never easy to take care of, especially if you are unaware of the plant’s background and its requirements. Ferns are beautiful houseplants, they can thrive for years if you keep them happy. Ferns are tropical plants requiring proper moisture, warmth and shade. Ferns are easy to care for and perfect plants for beginners, just placing them in the right spot and taking minimum care is more than enough to make them life partners.

No direct sunlight; your ferns prefers low light. Provide shade during those times of day when the sun is shining directly onto your Curly fern.

Your ferns can be watered from above but make sure that there is good drainage at the bottom of the pot. The soil should be kept slightly moist (do not allow it to dry completely) but do not over water either.

When re-potting your ferns use any all purpose or tropical soil mixture with good drainage.

In the wild ferns grow on the grounds of tropical forest, imagine the sunlight exposure from lush tropical forest. Very little direct sunlight and some indirect light.

Ferns prefer shadowed locations away from direct sunlight. The more sun they get, the more moisture they will need. Only selective species, such as Ostrich fern will be able to tolerate dry, hot, sunny locations.

Ferns are water loving plants, they thrive well in damp soil. As houseplant, water them regularly in summer and winter. And in the rainy season check for dampness and water them accordingly.

Do not overwater, it may rot the roots. Water precisely to keep the upper soil damp.

Use normal tap water, cold water can shock the roots as ferns are native to warm tropical climate.

As ferns are tropical forest plants, they have tender delicate roots. Ferns are adapted to leafy mould and decayed vegetables, fruits compost and light upper soil.

The right compost for houseplant will be rich and well drained soil, that can hold keep the soil moist.

Feed ferns with liquid fertilizer in summertime every 3-4 weeks. Do not feed them in full strength as it can burn the delicate roots.

Few drops can be added to water while misting the ferns.

Ferns love humid environment, and the temperature tolerance is quite broad. There is almost a kind of fern for a kind of climate, provided soil and humidity needs are met.

For houseplant ideal temperature would be between 16 – 28 C.

Ideal time to transplant the fern is spring time. Choose a slightly larger pot to accommodate the root system.

You can repot the fern after every 1-2 years, depending on the growth of the fern. You can split the fern into two parts and grow then individually to accommodate the pot size.

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