When it comes to ferns, a lot of gardeners have a bit of a love-hate relationship with them. Some see them popping up and immediately reach for the shovel or the lawnmower to stop them from taking over. But lately, I’ve noticed a big shift! More and more of us are embracing native plants over flashy imports, and that means ferns are finally getting the love they deserve. If you’ve fallen for their lush, woodland vibe, you’re probably wondering how to get more of them without breaking the bank at the nursery.
A Few Ways to Grow Your Collection
For most garden favorites, you just grab a packet of seeds and get to work. But ferns are a little different—they don’t have flowers or fruit, which means they don’t produce seeds at all. Instead, we have three main ways to propagate them:
- Growing from spores
- Dividing the plant
- Using cuttings
Collecting Spores
Since ferns don’t have seeds, they use “spores.” You’ll know they’re ready when you see a fine, dusty coating forming on the underside of the fronds. For most species, this happens right in the middle of summer. To collect them, just snip off a frond and lay it flat on a white piece of paper. The spore capsules will drop onto the paper, making them easy to gather.
Next, fill some small pots with seed-starting mix and sprinkle the capsules on top. Whatever you do, don’t cover them with soil! Ferns are “light germinators,” meaning they need sunshine to wake up. Mist the pots regularly and cover them with a clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse. Just be sure to lift the bag at least once a day to let in some fresh air and prevent mold.
Dividing Your Ferns
If you’re looking for a faster, more “instant gratification” method, division is the way to go. Simply dig up an established fern and use your spade to slice it into sections. Just make sure every piece has at least two healthy fronds attached.
You’ll want to get those new sections back into the ground quickly so the roots don’t dry out. Pro tip: Try to do your dividing in February or March before the new fronds have fully unfurled for the season.
Taking Cuttings
If you’re growing a fern variety with an above-ground rhizome (those fuzzy, root-like stems), you can actually take cuttings. You’ll want to cut the rhizome about an inch and a half behind the growing tip.
Pop that cutting into a pot with fresh potting soil and keep it well-watered. If all goes well, you should see new roots starting to take hold in about a month. Happy planting!
