Potted fernshave the greatest ability to clean the air among indoor plants. They effectively absorb toxins and, thanks to intensive transpiration, moisturize the air. Their decorative value is also undeniable. The choice ofpotted fern speciesis very wide, but not all of them are well suited to living conditions. Meetthe best ferns for home cultivationand see what it should look likecare for pot fernsso that they will be decorated with juicy green, he althy leaves for many years.
Potted ferns have attractive leaves
Potted fern care
In the cultivation of potted ferns , a place with a lot of diffused light is most suitable. Some fern species also do well in partial shade. Locations where the fern would be exposed to direct sunlight, especially in summer, are unsuitable. Strong sun can burn the leaves.
Ferns are undergrowth plants or growing on tree limbs in wet forests, requiring high air humidity. Thereforeimportant steps in the care of potted fernsare: regular sprinkling of leaves and frequent watering.
Ferns should be watered with decalcified water , because most of them require a low pH of the substrate. We use an acidic substrate for cultivation. The best option is to purchase a special substrate for ferns. From March to Augustwe regularly fertilize the fernsby applying liquid fern fertilizer.
The optimaltemperature for growing potted fernsduring the growing season is 18-21 ° C. During the winter dormancy, the temperature should be slightly lower, within 15-18 ° C.
Caring for potted fernsis not always easy. Especially in the autumn and winter period, when the amount of sunlight is scarce and the air in the apartments is dry due to heating. Then the plants are often bothered by diseases and pests of potted ferns. Therefore, when choosingspecies of ferns for growing at home , let us lean towards the most resistant and the least demanding.To facilitate the selection, the detailed cultivation requirements of the described species are listed in the table.
Pot fern species
1. Tall nephrolepis, fern (Nephrolepis ex altata)
The tall nephrolepis is by far themost famous species of fern grown in apartmentsand public spaces.The most common varieties are: 'Pulmosa' (dark and glossy leaves) and 'Roosveltii' (corrugated leaves). Also noteworthy are the cultivars 'Can Can' and 'Corditas' (with notched and notched leaves), 'Norwoodii' (with double pinnate and frilly leaves), and 'Whitmanii' (with very fine and highly curled leaves).
Pot ferns - high nephrolepsis
The popularity of nephrolepis is due to market availability and ease of cultivation. It is considered afern resistant to neglect , although it is true that it requires attention and proper care. Nephrolepsis are valued houseplants that purify the air from harmful substances - formaldehyde and xylene.
Nephrolepis does not tolerate dry air, drafts, gas fumes from the kitchen, as well as cigarette smoke and leaf polishing preparations. It reacts with yellowing, drying out and losing leaves.
This pot fern grows bestin rooms with lots of diffused light. It also tolerates shade, but cannot stand direct sun. Especially in summer, when the leaves are easily damaged. It requires abundant watering (2-3 times a week in spring and summer, and at least once a week in winter) and daily sprinkling. Too little moisture will quickly lead to leaf loss.
2. Adiantum, non-dotting (Adiantum capillus veneris)
Adiantum is afiligree fern with a delicate structure , growing up to 30-40 cm in height. Its leaves are light green, resembling ginkgo biloba leaves. It is characterized by a very fast growth (doubles its size in one season) and quick regeneration.
Potted ferns - adiantum
Adiantum, despite its attractive appearance, is not as popular as nephrolepis due to the ease with which it wilt and wither.This is due to the high sensitivity to changing places. When bought and brought homethis potted fern requires a long period of acclimatizationThe leaves may dry out during this period. They should then be trimmed close to the ground, and after some time they will start to grow back.
When the plant gets used to the conditions in our apartment, it does not cause any problems with proper care. The soil in the pot should be kept moist, but the plant should not be allowed to stand in the water. Residual water causes wilt and curling of the leaves. In summer, every 2 weeks, when watering, add liquid fertilizer to the water, using half of the dose recommended by the manufacturer.Adiantum feels best on the sill of a northern windowToo intense light makes the leaves of this fern pale.
3. Flat salmon, elk horns (Platycerium alcicorne)
A flat salmon isa fern with the most exotic appearance The leaves grow up to 70 cm in length, are gray-green and characteristically bifurcated. At the base of the plant, the leaves are shaped like a bowl. The lower leaves are large, round, turning brown with time. Under natural conditions, the lower leaves act as water reservoirs. The cup-shaped leaves gradually die from the base, creating a humus layer.
Potted ferns - moose horns
This fern is very resistant to dry air , but it is positively influenced by sprinkling it 1-2 times a week. Requires a very loose substrate. It is best to plant the plant on peat soil mixed with moss, bark or crushed polystyrene. It looks great in containers suspended from the ceiling. During care, the leaves must not be rubbed. They have a layer of hairs that help the plant cope with dry air. To clean the leaves of dust, simply sprinkle them with soft water.
4. Parnoblast (Asplenium nidus)
Paronychia is characterized by entire edges, shiny, light green leaves, forming a regular, funnel-shaped rosette.The leaves of this fern can be as long as 1 m in length . Depending on the variety, they can be wavy, jagged, narrow or wide.
Potted ferns - parrot
In nature, a funnel made of leaves is used to collect rainwater. Therefore,while watering the foot, the stream of water should be directed towards its interior(as in bromeliads). The perimeter should be watered with lukewarm water.
It is aspecies of fern that is easy to care for , tolerates living conditions quite well. He reacts badly to changes of place and does not like drafts. Parnellus grows very quickly under optimal conditions, it can double its size within a year. To slow down its growth, grow it in a tight-fitting pot.Once every two months, the leaves can be sprayed with a polishing preparation, which will reduce water losses due to transpiration.
5. Round leaf whale (Pellaea rotundifolia)
The round-leaved dark nettle is aspecies of fern native to New Zealand , where it grows on limestone rocks in the undergrowth. The dark green leaves are round, dark green, leathery, placed alternately on both sides of the main axis of the leaf. It is small in size. It grows up to a maximum of 30 cm in height, and leaves reach a length of 30-60 cm.
Note!The round-leaved dandelion is one of the few species of ferns that can tolerate direct sunlight and dry air. Unlike other potted ferns, the dark flower requires a neutral or slightly alkaline substrate. It is a fern very sensitive to excess water! Water remaining in the substrate causes root rot, which is manifested by yellowing and wilting of the leaves. We water it only when the top layer of the substrate is dry, but at least once a week.
Occasionally we can gently sprinkle the leaves to prevent them from drying out.Watering this fern we use tap water, rich in calcium , which the darkness requires for proper development. To supplement the amount of this element in the substrate, we can enrich it with crushed limestone or dolomite.
Darkness does not tolerate abundant fertilizationWe feed it from spring to autumn every 3-4 weeks, using half recommended fertilizer dose. The result of inadequate fertilization is rapid leaf dieback. To help the plant, replant it to a fresh substrate and remove any dead leaves.
Pot ferns - round-leaved darkroom
This fern grows bestat a temperature of 23-25 ° C, but also tolerates a temperature a few degrees lower. In winter, the darkness should be kept in a room with a temperature of 13-15 ° C. Higher temperature causes the leaves to age and die quickly.
Due to the low cultivation requirements, the round-leaved darkroom is perfect for amateurs,inexperienced in the care of potted ferns .
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
