How to Grow Fern Indoors

Co-authored by Rachel Guffey and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: February 17, 2023 Approved

If you’re looking for a large, foliage-rich houseplant, a fern is the right choice for you. With so many different species and varieties, you can pick any fern under the sun! Keeping ferns happy and healthy indoors isn’t tough, especially if you take note of their water, sunlight, and soil needs.

1

Pick a pot slightly larger than the fern’s root mass.

You’ll want a plastic or clay pot with a drainage hole at the bottom. Ideally, your fern should have about 1 in (2.5 cm) of extra space. Measure your fern’s root mass and pick a pot just a little bit bigger than that. You’ll need to size up your pots as your fern gets bigger, so plan on making a few purchases over time.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- While it’s often thought that a larger pot will give room for a small plant to grow, that’s actually not the case. Planting your fern in a pot that’s too large can cause the roots to get waterlogged.
- If you find a pot that you love but it doesn’t have a drainage hole, use a drill with a masonry bit to make a hole dead center in the bottom of the pot.

2

Fill the pot with organic soil containing peat moss.

Look for a light, well-draining potting soil. Make sure it’s heavy on the peat moss, since that’s what will give your ferns a lot of nutrients. You can find great potting soil at most garden supply stores.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Ferns don’t need a ton of extra maintenance, so there’s no need to mix in compost or fertilizer before potting.
- Floor-growing ferns like to be planted in peat moss-rich mixture.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Guffey
  Plant Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.}

3

Water your fern when the top of the soil is dry.

Different fern species have different water needs. Most need to stay consistently moist to grow well. A good rule of thumb is to feel the soil before watering: if the soil is dry, it needs more water. If the soil is still wet, don’t water it just yet.
- Boston Ferns need water whenever the soil gets dry, while Maidenhair and Button Ferns need to be watered every day. If you aren’t sure about your fern type, try looking up the specific species you have.
- Consider using distilled water to care for your ferns if your tap water is naturally hard.^{[4]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Guffey
  Plant Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.}

4

Keep the temperature between 60 and 72 °F (16 and 22 °C).

Ferns prefer moderate temperatures that don’t fluctuate often. During the day time, try to keep your home around 72 °F (22 °C). At night, you can turn the temperature down to as low as 60 °F (16 °C).
- If your home is consistently on the warmer side, you may need to water your fern more often.

5

Use a humidifier to keep the humidity above 50%.

Ferns are tropical plants, so they prefer high humidity. Set up a humidifier near your fern so it can get the moisture that it needs throughout the day.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Rachel Guffey
Plant Specialist
Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.} You can also add moisture to your ferns by placing the pots in a tray filled with gravel. Pour about ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm) of water into the tray and refill it whenever it dries out.
- You could also keep your fern in a room with plenty of running water, like a bathroom or kitchen.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Guffey
  Plant Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.}

6

Place the fern in an east-facing window.

Direct sunlight can dry out your fern. An ideal spot for your fern is near an east-facing window; if that’s not an option, you can place it a few feet away from a west- or south-facing window instead. If you notice the leaves on your fern turning brown or dying, they might be getting too much sun.^{[7]
X
Research source}
- You can filter the light from your windows with blinds, curtains, or outdoor foliage.
- In general, bright indirect to medium light is best for your fern.^{[8]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Rachel Guffey
  Plant Specialist
  Expert Interview. 5 August 2021.}

7

Fertilize your fern during the winter.

Use a liquid houseplant fertilizer to encourage winter growth. Take a look at the bottle to see what the dosage recommendation is, then use about half of that amount. During the fall, summer, and spring, ferns don’t need to be fertilized.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- If you’ve planted or repotted your fern within the last 6 months, don’t fertilize it just yet.
- When in doubt, go easy on the fertilizer. Adding too much can kill your ferns.

8

Spray pests off your fern with water.

Scale, mealybugs, and spider mites are common fern pests. If you notice them, you can either pick them off by hand or blast the leaves with some water to remove them. If the pests are still a problem, try dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, then carefully wiping down the leaves of your fern.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If you notice fungus or fungal mites on the base of your plant, you might be watering your fern too much. Waterlogged roots can cause rot, which attracts fungus and fungal pests.

9

Divide and repot your fern every 2 or 3 years.

Your fern will outgrow its original pot that you planted it in. When you notice that growth has stopped, carefully uproot your fern and use a sharp knife to divide the root mass into 2 or 3 bundles. Give each bundle its own pot, picking one that’s about 1 in (2.5 cm) larger than the root mass.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- You can also transplant your fern outside once it gets too large for its pot.

Expert Q&A

Question

What's the best way to water indoor ferns?

Mark Leahy
Plant Specialist
Mark Leahy is a Plant Specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the Co-Owner of Bella Fiora, a custom design floral studio, and SF Plants, a plant shop and nursery. Mark specializes in floral artistry and indoor plants including floral arrangements, terrace planters, office plantscapes, and living walls. Mark and his business partner have been featured in Vogue, The Knot, Today’s Bride, Wedding Wire, Modern Luxury, San Francisco Bride Magazine, San Francisco Fall Antique Show, Black Bride, Best of the Bay Area A-List, and Borrowed & Blue.

Mark Leahy

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

What I do is actually dunk all my ferns into water without getting the leaves wet. I just lift up the leaves and dunk the nursery pot just below the water, hold it, see the bubbles go up, and then take it out. That way I know it's watered thoroughly.
Question

How often should I water my fern?

Mark Leahy
Plant Specialist
Mark Leahy is a Plant Specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the Co-Owner of Bella Fiora, a custom design floral studio, and SF Plants, a plant shop and nursery. Mark specializes in floral artistry and indoor plants including floral arrangements, terrace planters, office plantscapes, and living walls. Mark and his business partner have been featured in Vogue, The Knot, Today’s Bride, Wedding Wire, Modern Luxury, San Francisco Bride Magazine, San Francisco Fall Antique Show, Black Bride, Best of the Bay Area A-List, and Borrowed & Blue.

Mark Leahy

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

I would say every 5 days or so, depending on the environment of your home. You don't want to let them dry out completely.
Question

What kind of lighting do indoor ferns prefer?

Mark Leahy
Plant Specialist
Mark Leahy is a Plant Specialist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is the Co-Owner of Bella Fiora, a custom design floral studio, and SF Plants, a plant shop and nursery. Mark specializes in floral artistry and indoor plants including floral arrangements, terrace planters, office plantscapes, and living walls. Mark and his business partner have been featured in Vogue, The Knot, Today’s Bride, Wedding Wire, Modern Luxury, San Francisco Bride Magazine, San Francisco Fall Antique Show, Black Bride, Best of the Bay Area A-List, and Borrowed & Blue.

Mark Leahy

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

Ferns can work in a bright room away from a window or in a room with moderate lighting.