When we think of ferns, we picture big, lush, bushy plants that bring that jungle aesthetic to life. Ferns are notorious for being a little fussy in the plant world, but they’re actually much easier to care for than you might think. We’ve put together this little guide to help you keep your ferny babies happy and thriving.
Caring for Your Fern
Light
While ferns grown outdoors thrive in shade, indoor ferns prefer moderate, indirect sunlight. Direct sun exposure can burn their leaves, causing them to turn brown. For south- and west-facing windows, place ferns a few feet away from the window. Direct sunlight from an east-facing window is best.
Tip: If you’re struggling to meet the light requirements, try our Instant Sun Grow Lamp!
Soil
Ferns aren’t too fussy when it comes to soil. A good general-purpose indoor potting mix will do the trick, especially one with plenty of organic matter, such as peat moss. I like mixing in about 25–30% perlite to improve drainage and moisture retention. If you’re buying soil, just make sure it’s pest-free when you open it (it should have a nice, earthy smell!). If you spot anything suspicious, return it.
Water
Before we get into watering, let’s talk containers, because the two go hand in hand! Ferns do best in pots with drainage holes and a removable saucer, so excess water has somewhere to go. Clay pots will dry out a little faster than plastic ones because they’re more porous, so keep that in mind when choosing a home for your fern. Your pot should also be large enough to fit the roots comfortably, with about an inch of extra space around them for growth.
When it comes to watering, ferns love moisture, especially during their growing season. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top couple of inches of soil feel dry. You can check by simply sticking your finger into the soil or looking at the color — dry soil will usually look lighter and may pull away from the sides of the pot.
A few easy watering tips:
Use room-temperature or lukewarm water. Rainwater is also a great option!
Give your fern a thorough drink, allowing the water to run through the drainage holes, then empty any excess water sitting in the saucer.
Try to water during the day so any water sitting on the leaves has time to dry.
As growth slows during the cooler months, your fern will usually need a little less water.
Humidity
Ferns love a little extra humidity and generally do best when the air isn’t too dry. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to give your fern the humid environment it loves:
- Give it a little spritz: A few light sprays a couple of times a week can help, especially if your home is dry. Just 3–4 spritzes is plenty!
- Try a humidifier: If your home tends to be on the dry side, a small humidifier can be great for both your plants and your space.
- Group your plants together: Keeping plants close together can naturally create a more humid little environment. Just make sure there’s still plenty of airflow between them.
- Use a pebble tray: Add a layer of pebbles or gravel to your saucer and fill it with water, keeping the water below the top of the pebbles. This can help add a little extra moisture to the air around your fern. Just give the pebbles a clean every few months to keep things fresh.
- Double-pot your fern: Pop your fern’s pot inside a slightly larger container and fill the gap with moistened sphagnum moss for an extra humidity boost.
And remember, how much humidity your fern needs will depend on your home. If you live somewhere naturally humid, your fern might already be living its best life!
Fertilization
Ferns don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but a little extra nourishment during their growing season can help encourage healthy growth, new leaves, and that lush, jungle look we all love.
This is where We The Wild Grow Concentrate comes in. It’s an organic liquid plant food made with nutrients, beneficial bacteria, and enzymes to support healthy plant growth. Simply shake, squirt into your watering can, and water your fern as usual. Easy!
Ferns naturally slow down during the cooler, darker months, so you can cut back on feeding when your plant isn’t putting out much new growth. Once spring rolls around and you start seeing new fronds popping up, it’s a good time to start feeding again.
And because those beautiful fern fronds can collect plenty of dust, Protect Organic Plant Spray with Neem Oil is a handy addition to your plant care routine. It combines neem oil and Australian essential oils to help keep leaves clean, shiny, and protected from environmental stress. Just spray over the top and underside of the leaves.
Our simple fern care combo:
Grow Concentrate for healthy growth and new leaves.
Protect for clean, shiny, and happy fronds.
Let us know if our quick fern guide helped you at hello@wethewild.us. We’re always happy to hear your plant stories!
