How To Trim Ferns

As you begin cutting, you can cut nearly all the way down to the base of the fern without harming it. So go deep and leave just a few inches sticking up. Older ferns will have a pretty substantial base, especially those that were not regularly trimmed while newer ferns won't have as much base.

Will ferns regrow if cut back?

Ferns do grow back after cutting, but the new growth will emerge from the rhizome below the soil. This means you should cut any damaged or discolored foliage down to the crown at the base of the plant to stimulate new growth.

How do you trim and maintain a fern?

Ferns are relatively easy to prune. You can prune them in early spring before the new growth begins, or even when the new growth comes in. If you want to create a shape, you can trim around the edges of the plant. When growing ferns indoors, just be sure to cut off dead or dried fronds when they appear.

How do you prune dead fern leaves?

When a frond has died back completely to the ground, simply use a pair of scissors or sharp pruners to snip off the dead fronds. I usually wait to prune a deciduous fern until all the fronds have died back. Then I just grasp all the dead fronds at once and lop them off just above the ground. It's as easy as that!

What time of year do you cut ferns back?

Late winter or early spring is the best timing, before the new fronds start to emerge. I usually cut them down sometime in March. Once all of the fronds are cut down, small “curled fist” or “knuckles” start forming at the base of the plant. Each of those fists will unfurl delicate fronds, forming a fresh new plant.

Do you cut all ferns back?

Pruning evergreen ferns To avoid a mish-mash mess, cut all of the fronds from your fern to the ground late each winter or early each spring. Once all of the fronds are cut down, each plant should look like a tiny, curled fist on the ground.

How do you take care of outdoor ferns?

How to Care for Ferns

1. Light: Ferns prefer a dappled shade canopy.
2. Watering: If nature doesn't furnish an inch of rain weekly, watering will be necessary, especially during the first growing season after transplanting.
3. Soil: Ferns sink their thirsty roots into deep, friable soil rich in organic matter.

Can you cut a fern in half?

Over-sized ferns can actually be split in early fall to create smaller plants. Plants that can then be brought indoors to overwinter and use again next year. Not only is it a great way to keep your fern plant alive, but a perfect way to create even more ferns for next year's porch and patio!

How do you winterize outdoor ferns?

Give your fern a good prune, cutting off several inches of outside fronds. Leave the center of the plant alone. Allow the plant to dry out before bringing it indoors. Choose a cool location such as a basement or garage to store the plant.

How do I make my fern more bushy?

1. Repot the ferns into large planters or hanging baskets.
2. Fertilize.
3. Water frequently, but water the right way.
4. Cut off any brown fronds.
5. Choose the right light.
6. Rotate occasionally.
7. Don't toss the metal basket!

Do ferns grow back?

Ferns are perennial plants, which means that they grow back every year. As long as your fern is healthy, you do not need to worry that cutting it back will hurt it or prevent it from growing back the following spring.

Do ferns need to be watered every day?

A large fern may require watering daily, while a small fern in the bathroom - where the humidity is high - may require less frequent watering. The key is to water the fern before the soil dries, but to avoid soggy soil. This means good drainage is vital to the health of indoor ferns.

What to do if ferns turn brown?

Low humidity indoors causes fern leaves to turn brown and crispy. Underwatering. Ferns should be watered thoroughly and the soil should be consistently moist (but not saturated). Dry soil causes the leaves to turn brown.

Do you deadhead ferns?

Ferns do not produce flowers, so there is no need to deadhead. Light pruning can be done to remove any ugly fronds throughout the year to keep the plant looking neat. After a couple hard frosts, your plants will look brown and dead.

How do you rejuvenate an old fern?

To revive ferns with yellow, drooping leaves, it is important to recreate the well draining soil conditions of the ferns native environments and ensure that the ferns roots are not sat in saturated soil which causes root rot. Water your fern as often as required so that the soil is consistently moist but not saturated.

Can ferns stay outside year round?

If your porch has a southwest exposure, ferns could probably stay outside if the temperature drops to around 22-24 degrees if you set them against the house. If you have that southwest exposure there would be few times you would need to take them inside during the winter.

How long do outdoor ferns last?

While Boston ferns are houseplants, they can also grow outside and thrive. Boston ferns can live for over a hundred years if they get the ideal outside care.

Do outside ferns like sun or shade?

Ferns are a natural inhabitant of shady areas, most commonly found where they will get at least some sun during part of the day or where they will receive dappled sunlight most of the day. In fact most ferns will not grow that well in real dense shade, they need a bit of sun to grow their best.

Do ferns need to be covered in winter?

Ferns can handle a bit of chill, and even a light frost for that matter, but not a hard frost or freeze. As temperatures begin to drop in mid to late fall, plants need to be covered or brought indoors on nights when a heavy frost or freeze is expected.

How do you care for outdoor ferns in the fall?

To maintain your fern's evergreen color, you can try to overwinter your fern by cutting it back in the fall and placing it in a light-filled area indoors. Location, humidity, and water are essential for an attempt at overwintering.