Last Updated on December 30, 2021 by
When you master how to care for ferns in hanging baskets, you will be able to grow a happy and healthy fern right at your porch.
Ferns are popular indoor plants that have existed for decades. To spice things up, ferns have now become common in hanging baskets. This creates a charming atmosphere! Ferns thrive in moist, shady conditions. But this lush green foliage can also thrive in a hanging pot whether indoors or outdoors.
Where Do Ferns in Hanging Baskets Grow Best?
Growing conditions vary depending on the type of fern you are growing. The general rule is do not place ferns under intense direct sunlight. When you grow your ferns in a hanging container, it will do well with the morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Indoor ferns in hanging baskets will do well with the bright indirect sun for the better part of the day.
The ideal temperatures for ferns in hanging baskets are between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ferns appreciate a good amount of humidity. The bathroom is an ideal spot for growing these ferns. You may use a humidifier to increase humidity in your home or spritz the plant with a good mist from time to time. Do not place your fern near the door, air conditioner, window, or the heating vent.
Some of the Best Types of Hanging Ferns
- Boston fern. A thriving Boston fern is a beautiful sight to behold! The beauties do well with modern homes or even those with minimal growing spaces. They are best grown under shade with plenty of light available. It is common to find them hanging beneath porches or awnings protected from direct sunlight. This fern is a light feeder so you need to go easy on fertilizers. A diluted, water-soluble fertilizer works best. It grows up to 3 feet high and 4 feet wide. Provide it with a large basket to accommodate its growth.
- Lady Fern. Formally known as Athyrium, this fern is a real charmer. It has ornamental fronds and a medium green hue that is a sight to behold. This type thrives in partial shade and it’s a low maintenance type. The soil must stay moist at all times but not overly watered. It grows up to 20 inches tall so give it plenty of room to grow. Fertilize it about once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer. It looks more beautiful when paired with other plants to create an eye-catching arrangement.
- Kimberly Queen fern. This fern gets a prominent spot on most front patios or porches. Sometimes known as a sword fern it has straight, narrow, fronds that grow outward. It comes in a striking dark green hue that is breathtaking. Kimberly grows up to 3 feet tall so provide it with ample space to thrive. It does well in general potting soil but be sure to keep it well-watered without waterlogging it. Use fertilizer after every 6 months and keep it in a shady place.
Green View 10-10-10 All Purpose Fertilizer
How to Care for Ferns in Hanging Baskets
- Get a container that has good drainage holes at the bottom. Most hanging baskets come with drainage holes to ensure the roots don’t become waterlogged.
- Fill the container or pot with peat-based potting mix or well-drained soil mixed with organic manure. The moisture content level depends on the type of fern you are growing. Some ferns like the soil or potting mix dry while others like moist. Take time to know what kind of fern you are growing requires. Either way, ensure the soil never becomes too dry.
- Water them often. Ferns in hanging baskets tend to dry out fast. Plan to water them often especially during the summer months. Be careful not to overwater during winter.
- Use water-soluble and slow-release fertilizer to feed the ferns. Every once a month during spring and summer, use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer. Do not apply fertilizer on dry soil, always water it first before application.
- Repotting. Move the fern to a larger container after it grows and gets root-bound. This may take a year or so from the day of planting. Your fern gets root bound if it appears stunted. Or if water runs straight through the pot without getting absorbed. Or if the soil dries out faster than normal. You may also notice the fern’s roots on the surface of the potting mix dangling through the drainage hole.
Point to Note: Place your fern in an area that has little activity such as touching. Too much contact can excessively cause damage to the plant.
Hanging Ferns Final Words
FAQs
How often do you water ferns in hanging baskets?
There are many things that can go wrong with ferns in a hanging basket, one of which is not enough water. It's important to remember that you need to keep your plants hydrated because they are living plants and will eventually die if they don't receive the proper amount of water. If you notice that your ferns are brown or dried out, try adding more water when possible.
Why are my hanging ferns dying?
Ferns are highly susceptible to environmental factors such as drought, heat, and humidity. With proper care, ferns can thrive for many years.Some common factors that cause the ferns to die include: excess moisture, lack of light and nutrients, overwatering, and soil that is too rich.
Lack of light can cause the ferns to die because they are unable to produce chlorophyll if there is too much sunlight. As such plants need a balanced amount of sunlight in order to absorb enough energy and nutrients.
The most common causes for ferns dying are excess moisture, overwatering, soil that is too rich, and lack of light.
Ferns can be easily killed by overwatering or lack of water when they are not properly watered and fed; too much sunlight or lack of sunlight; too much humidity or lack of humidity; and other factors such as heat waves and cold spells that affect their health in the summer or winter months.
How do you make a fern greener?
The fact is, ferns are green. They can be grown in a wide variety of environments, including those with limited moisture and light. In the wild, they are able to adapt to their surroundings.
However, there is a way you can make your fern greener- make sure it has access to more light and water. For example, if you want your ferns to grow faster or bigger, plant them in full sunlight and water them daily. If you want them to thrive in low-light conditions or indoors, keep the pot where they live moist at all times by using a few drops of water every day.
To make a fern even greener, avoid overwatering. In addition to watering your plants regularly, consider using dry soil instead of soil-based potting mix.
Can you bring a dead fern back to life?
Some plants are difficult to bring back to life. But there are some plants that are dead but can still be revived. The fern is one of the latter, which is why it's an interesting plant to revive.
Most people have this misconception that dead plants cannot be brought back to life. In reality, there are already ways of reviving a plant even if it has been lying on the ground for days or weeks. However, these techniques only work for certain types as well as for certain types of plants and herbs. These techniques include:
- Salt water solution
- Put the plant in water
- Baking soda solution
- Put the plant in a bucket with sand and water.
Caroline is a gardener who loves to get down to the nitty–gritty of gardening. She proudly proclaims herself as a ‘dirt worshipper‘ and can often be found deep in the garden, covered in soil and singing to her plants. As a self–proclaimed ‘plant whisperer‘, Caroline believes that plants need love and attention just like any other living thing, and she loves to give them both. When she‘s not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive
