Can you bring ferns indoors for the winter?

Bring the Plants Indoors

Ferns grown in containers outdoors may survive the winter in very cold climates if you bring them indoors. Bring the plant back outdoors when nighttime temperatures rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Beside this, what do you do with potted ferns in the winter?

Trim the fern, removing the shoots at the outside of the pot and keeping only the most upright shoots in the middle.
Bring the fern inside and place it in a bright, sunny room where the temperature will stay between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water the fern once a week.
Withhold fertilizer during the winter.

One may also ask, when should I bring ferns inside? By September, before frost, it's time to bring potted ferns indoors for the winter. Here are a few tips to keep them healthy and happy. Hose down each plant to clean the foliage and then inspect closely for insect that might be hiding in the foliage.

Also to know, how do you take care of a Boston fern indoors in the winter?

Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. When you care for Boston fern plants indoors, it's a good idea to provide additional humidity for them, especially in the winter. Most homes are rather dry, even more when heaters are running.

Should ferns be cut back for winter?

Pruning of ferns needs to occur after the spores on fruiting fronds have matured and released. Trim them when they are dormant, which is during winter. They can also be pruned in very early spring. Many ferns do not object to pruning at any time of the year.

32 Related Question Answers Found

How do you keep ferns alive indoors?

If you keep your ferns indoors, place a humidifier near them so they don't dry out. Water your ferns regularly so that their soil is always moist but not damp. Also, keep them out of direct sunlight by putting them somewhere with partial shade or lots of indirect sunlight.

How cold is too cold for ferns?

In fact, they generally prefer daytime temperatures below 72 degrees Fahrenheit and night-time temperatures below 60 degrees F.

Do ferns come back every year?

Ferns are perennial plants, those that live for many years. Annual plants are the ones you have to replant every year.

Can potted ferns be planted in the ground?

Although Boston fern is often grown as a houseplant, it thrives outdoors in warm, humid climates in USDA zones 9-11. With adequate moisture, the plant may tolerate drier climates. Frost may kill the fern to the ground, but it will rebound in spring. The plant prefers rich, organic soil.

Do ferns die in winter?

Deciduous ferns do not stay green in the winter. However, if you have chosen ferns suited to your zone, they will still survive the winter just fine. When fronds start dying back in the fall, cut them back. Ferns can be kept warm with a mulch covering for the winter months.

How long does a fern live?

100 years

How do you prepare hostas for winter?

Do not cut your plant while the leaves are still green. The plant is getting ready for the winter and using its leaves to make food. Cutting the leaves too early will deplete the winter energy it needs to store. A thin layer of mulch will protect the hosta during the heavy snow and cold.

How do you take care of potted ferns?

Keep a fern in a location between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 70 degrees Fahrenheit when possible. Choose a humid spot if one is available, such as a bathroom, if the potted fern stays indoors. Water the plants enough to keep them moist without leaving standing water in the pot. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.

Where should ferns be placed indoors?

Choose the right location. Ferns require lots of shade and ambient (rather than direct) sunlight. Place your plant near a north-facing window; east and west windows let in too much direct sunlight. You can put your fern next to a south-facing window if a north-facing window isn't available.

How much sunlight does a Boston fern need?

How Much Light Does a Boston Fern Need? Boston fern light needs vary depending on the time of year. The plant benefits from bright, indirect light during fall and winter. A location where the plant gets at least two hours of indirect sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon, is ideal.

What temperature should you bring ferns inside?

Temperature Ranges

The lowest minimum temperatures for USDA zone 10 are 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Boston ferns die if exposed to lower temperatures. The best indoor temperature range for these voluptuous plants is between 68 and 78 F, notes Colorado State University Extension.

Can ferns live indoors?

Caring for Ferns Indoors

Most ferns require high levels of humidity to grow green and lush indoors. This can be a challenge, especially in areas where heat is provided by a furnace, which can dry out indoor air. Keep ferns away from radiators, bright, hot, sunny windows, and use a pebble tray (right) to add moisture.

What is bright indirect light?

Bright Light: Bright light means a sunny southern or western facing window that receives direct light all day long. Indirect Light: Indirect light can be found in places with an east-facing window, or in an interior of a room that receives full light from a south- or west-facing window.

How much water do ferns need?

As a rule, they prefer 1 to 2 inches of water a week, but this also depends on the soil and the growth rate. Ferns grown in light, sandy soil require more frequent watering than those grown in dense clay soil.

Can I cut back my Boston fern for the winter?

Pruning a Boston Fern way back in fall means far less space is needed for over-wintering. It will gradually put out new growth, but it won't grow out as quickly during winter as it would after a spring trim. If a spring frost threatens, be sure to bring it back inside for the night.

How do you trim a fern for winter?

To avoid this mish-mash mess, instead 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.

Do Boston ferns survive the winter?

A: Assuming you have Boston ferns on your porch, as many people do, you'll have to bring them indoors for the winter. They can not survive temperatures below 40 degrees F. Keep a pair of scissors handy to prune fronds which inevitably turn brown during the winter.