Autumn Fern Care How To Grow Autumn Ferns In The Garden

Adding a few inches of compost, peat moss or leaf mold to the soil at planting time will improve growing conditions and get the fern off to a healthy start. Once established, autumn fern care is minimal. Basically, just provide water as needed so the soil never becomes bone dry, but be careful not to overwater.

How do you care for outdoor ferns?

How to Grow and Care for Outdoor Ferns

Water ferns regularly to avoid dry soil. You never want sopping wet soil, but consistently keeping the top five inches of your soil moist is the key to a healthy fern. ...
Fertilize as needed. ...
Monitor for pests.

How much sun can Autumn fern take?

The autumn fern grows well in part shade or full shade, but if it appears leggy, move it to a location where it will get a little more sunlight. The plant can tolerate up to two hours of direct sunlight.

How do you propagate autumn ferns?

You can propagate ferns by several methods, the easiest of which is by dividing plants from the garden in spring. Potted divisions should be secured in a shaded cold frame until roots have developed. New ferns can also be grown from bulbils, but ferns are most readily propagated in larger numbers using spores.

Will my autumn fern come back?

Yes, an Autumn Fern is a perennial plant meaning that although it dies away in the winter it will grow back in the spring time and requires minimal care from you.

How long do ferns last outside?

Considered perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, they may stay out all year where temperatures seldom drop below 45 degrees F, but must be brought indoors if threatened by frost.

Why is my outdoor Fern turning brown?

You may see brown tips on garden ferns if the soil becomes too dry. When it feels dry to touch, water slowly and deeply. Stop watering when the water runs off instead of sinking into the soil. ... If your fern has brown tips because the humidity is too low, it's best to choose another plant for the location.

Can autumn ferns take full sun?

This ancient woodland plant thrives in partial or full shade and moist, rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. However, autumn fern can tolerate short periods of afternoon sunlight, but won't perform well in intense heat or prolonged sunlight. ... Keep in mind that autumn fern is a naturally slow-growing plant.

What can be planted with autumn ferns?

Acidic Soil Shrubs

Pair autumn fern with balsam and fraser fir (Abies balsamea and A. fraseri), serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius) or bigleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla).

Do autumn ferns spread?

A stunning dwarf fern with a flush of young papery fronds that emerge a copper-red color, then mature to a deep green. Spreads by underground stems.

Will autumn ferns grow in containers?

Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora, USDA zones 6 to 9; find your zone) is an evergreen fern with bronze-colored new growth. Its arching habit adds a graceful, soft look to containers.

Do ferns multiply?

Ferns can multiply naturally via two mechanisms, vegetative and sexual. Vegetative reproduction occurs by producing new plantlets along underground runners, or rhizomes. ... Fertilized eggs make the large plants we normally see as ferns.

Do ferns grow back?

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

Should I cut the dead leaves off my fern?

Clip away any brown leaves or fronds with a pair of sharp garden clippers. Removing the dead, brown leaves makes the plant grow more quickly as it encourages new growth. Do this in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins.

Should ferns be cut back for winter?

Some of the lowest maintenance perennial plants are the hardy ferns. That said, they and the looks of your garden will benefit from a little simple pruning at the right time. ... At the end of winter, before new fronds begin to emerge and unfurl, I usually remove all damaged, brown or faded fronds from my evergreen ferns.

Can you split autumn ferns?

Although ferns can be divided almost any time during the growing season, fall division allows you to create manageable-sized plants to overwinter indoors. Begin by shearing back the fern to about an inch or two from it's base. A day or two before dividing your ferns, stop watering your plant.

Do outdoor ferns need a lot of water?

Outdoor ferns typically prefer a shaded area where the soil remains moist. 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.

How cold is too cold for ferns?

On the coldest end of the scale, hardy ferns can survive temperatures down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hardy ferns in USDA zones 2 through 6, tend to be semi-evergreen. In most cases, it is safe to leave many hardy ferns outdoors all winter long. A few, however, are only cold-hardy to USDA zones 6 or 7.

Can Ferns stay outside in winter?

Hardy ferns tolerate winter temperatures outdoors, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, but many can also survive high heat. For this reason, hardy ferns are an excellent choice for year-round outdoor containers in most climates.

Do ferns like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. ... And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

How do I bring my fern back to life?

Dig up your fern and add organic material or compost to the hole if you have clay soil that that doesn't drain well. Replace the fern, water it well and give it a few weeks to bounce back. Transplant the fern if it currently grows in direct sunlight and has browned leaflets or fronds.

Why is my autumn fern dying?

Without adequate humidity, the fronds turn brown and dry. Once this happens, clip out the damaged fronds - they won't recover - and keep the air around the fern as moist as possible. You may also see brown, dry fronds when ferns don't get the right amount of light or when you don't water or fertilize properly.