5 Best Ways to Water Ferns

Ferns are beautiful leafy plants that can add a fresh, green touch to any space. But keeping them healthy can be tricky if you don’t know the best way to water them.

Too much water can make their roots rot, while too little can dry them out. So, what’s the right balance? In this blog, we’ll talk about the best way to water ferns for both potted and outdoor plants.

You’ll learn how often to water them, the signs that they need more or less water, and simple tips to keep their leaves healthy and green. If you’re new to plant care or just want to help your ferns grow better, this guide will make it easy. 

Let’s get started!

The Right Way to Water Ferns

Watering ferns the right way helps them stay healthy and green. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Check the Soil First: Before watering, stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still a little damp, wait a day or two before you water them again.

2. Water Slowly and Evenly: Pour water slowly so it soaks into the soil and not just the top layer. Make sure the water reaches the roots, where the plant needs it most.

3. Let the Extra Water Drain Out: If your fern is in a pot, make sure it has holes at the bottom. This lets extra water drain out, so the roots don’t get soggy.

4. Use Room-Temperature Water: Cold water can shock the roots. Use water that is lukewarm but not too hot.

5. Mist for Extra Humidity: Ferns love humidity. Lightly mist the leaves with water, especially if the air is dry. But remember that misting isn’t a substitute for watering the soil.

How Often Should You Water Ferns?

How often you should water your ferns depends on where they’re growing. For indoor ferns, it’s usually best to water them once or twice a week. Check the top of the soil with your finger—if it feels dry, it’s time to water it. Ferns like their soil to be moist but not soaked.

For outdoor ferns, you might need to water them more often, especially in hot or dry weather. During the summer, you may need to water them every other day. In cooler seasons, watering once a week is usually enough.

A good rule is to keep the soil slightly damp all the time. Not too wet and not too dry. If you’re not sure, it’s better to water a little than too much. Ferns don’t like sitting in soggy soil and it can actually be harmful for their growth.

Signs Your Fern Needs More or Less Water

Knowing if your fern needs more or less water is pretty easy once you know what to look for. Here are some simple signs to help you out:

1. Signs Your Fern Needs More Water

• Dry, crispy leaves: If the leaves feel crunchy or look brown at the edges, your fern is needs water.
• Drooping or wilting: When the leaves start to droop, it’s important that you water them more frequently.
• Soil feels dry: Stick your finger in the soil. If it’s dry more than an inch down, it’s time to water.

2. Signs Your Fern Needs Less Water

• Yellowing leaves: Too much water can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
• Mushy stems or roots: If the plant feels soft or slimy at the base, that’s a sign of overwatering.
• Soggy soil: If the soil is wet all the time and smells bad, it’s because its holding too much water.

Pay attention to these signs and schedule your watering according to what your fern needs.

What About Watering Ferns with Epsom Salt?

You might’ve heard that Epsom salt can help plants grow better. But is it good for ferns? The short answer is yes, but only if you use it the right way. Let’s break it down so you can decide if your fern needs it ot not.

1. Is Epsom Salt Good for Ferns?

Epsom salt isn’t like regular table salt. It’s made of magnesium and sulfate, both of which are nutrients that plants need. Magnesium helps ferns produce chlorophyll, which keeps their leaves green and healthy. Sulfate helps with overall plant growth.

However, ferns don’t always need extra magnesium unless the soil is lacking it. If your fern looks healthy, you probably don’t need to add Epsom salt at all.

2. When Should You Use Epsom Salt?

You might consider using Epsom salt if you notice:

• Yellowing leaves which weren’t not caused by overwatering
• Slow growth even though the plant is getting enough light and water
• Pale, dull-looking leaves that lack their usual bright green color

If your fern has these signs, it might be missing magnesium and Epsom salt could help.

3. How to Use Epsom Salt for Ferns

If you think your fern could use a boost, here’s how to do it safely:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water.
2. Stir until the Epsom salt dissolves completely.
3. Use this mixture to water your fern once a month—not more often, or it can build up in the soil and harm the plant.
4. Pour the water slowly at the base of the plant, just like regular watering.

4. Important Tips to Remember

• Don’t overdo it. Using too much Epsom salt can damage the roots and cause leaf burn.
• Check the soil first. Sometimes, yellow leaves are caused by other problems like overwatering, pests, or poor light.
• Regular care matters most. A healthy fern usually gets enough nutrients from the soil and doesn’t need extra supplements unless something’s wrong.

5. Do Ferns Really Need Epsom Salt?

Most of the time, no. If your fern is healthy, with bright green leaves and steady growth, you don’t need to add Epsom salt. But if it’s struggling even though you’re watering and caring for it properly, a little Epsom salt might help.

Think of Epsom salt like vitamins—it’s helpful when there’s a deficiency, but unnecessary if your plant is already growing well. Stick to regular watering, the right light and good soil so you don’t need to make any extra efforts.

Tips for Keeping Ferns Healthy

Ferns are beautiful plants, but they need the right care to stay lush and green. Here are some simple tips to help your ferns thrive:

1. Keep the Soil Moist, Not Soaked: Ferns like their soil to be a little damp, like a wrung-out sponge. Check the soil with your finger—if it feels dry an inch down, it’s time to water. But don’t let it get soggy, or the roots could rot.

2. Give Them Indirect Light: Ferns don’t like strong, direct sunlight. It can burn their leaves. Place them near a window with filtered light or in a shady spot outside.

3. Boost the Humidity: Ferns love humid air. You can mist them with water, place a tray of water nearby, or group them with other plants to create a more humid environment.

4. Use the Right Soil: Ferns do best in loose, well-draining soil. A mix designed for houseplants or adding some peat moss works great.

5. Trim Dead Leaves: If you see brown or yellow leaves, snip them off with clean scissors. This helps the plant focus its energy on new growth.

6. Don’t Over-Fertilize: Ferns don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Feed them with a weak liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).

7. Keep Them Away from Drafts: Ferns don’t like cold air or sudden temperature changes. Keep them away from vents, air conditioners, or drafty windows.

With these simple tips, your ferns will stay healthy and green for a long time.

Conclusion

Taking care of ferns doesn’t have to be hard. The key is to keep their soil slightly moist, give them the right amount of light, and make sure they have enough humidity.

Watch for signs like yellow leaves or drooping fronds to know if they need more or less water. Remember, ferns love a little attention, but not too much—overwatering is a common mistake.

By keeping these simple tips in mind, you’ll have healthy green ferns that brighten up your space. Just listen to your plant and adjust your watering habits.