If there’s one thing you need to know about ferns, it’s that they are total moisture lovers. They crave hydration in the soil and the air around them. When things stay nice and damp, your ferns will be happy campers, which means staying on top of your watering game is key.
Keep It Consistently Moist
Here’s the tricky part: while ferns love wet soil, they absolutely hate “wet feet”—meaning they’re super sensitive to standing water. Instead of giving them one giant soak, the secret is to water them more frequently with smaller amounts. To keep the soil from getting swampy, make sure your fern has great drainage so any extra water can flow right out.
Location, Location, Location
Where you put your fern makes a huge difference in how much work you’ll have to do. Ideally, you want to find a spot in the shade or partial shade. This keeps the location cool and prevents the sun from baking the soil dry every five minutes.
Quality Matters: The Best Water for Ferns
It’s not just about how much you water, but what’s in the water itself. Ferns aren’t big fans of lime or minerals. If you can, use soft rainwater—it’s like a spa treatment for them. If you have to use tap water, let it sit out for a while before using it. Also, a little pro tip: ferns prefer their water lukewarm rather than ice-cold.
A Few Extra Tips for Success
If your ferns are living outdoors in a garden bed or a planter, definitely add a layer of mulch. This helps lock in moisture and keeps the air around the plant humid. For indoor ferns, give them a quick misting every now and then to keep those fronds from drying out in the indoor air.
To wrap it all up, here’s your quick fern-watering cheat sheet:
- Water more often, but in smaller amounts.
- Always use lukewarm water.
- Mulch your outdoor ferns and mist your indoor ones.
