Ferns

Ostrich Fern

February 17, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Ostrich Fern Breakdown

Botanical Name: Matteuccia
Place of Origin: Northern Hemisphere
Watering Requirements: Regular watering
Lighting Requirements: Indirect light
Humidity Requirements: Prefers humidity
Temperature Requirements: Temperate climates

The leaves of the Ostrich Fern stick straight up vertically resembling the plumage of a bird which is where it gets its name from. This fern can tolerate cooler regions compared to some of its relatives and can be a perfect addition to your garden, as long as you don’t let it grow out of control.

Ostrich Fern Care Guide

Coming from temperate conditions, the Ostrich Fern makes a great outdoor plant which can give depth to a garden or wooded area. But due to the increasing demand for ferns all around it is also becoming a houseplant.

Because of this we have broken our care guide into outdoor care and indoor care, so that no matter how you want to keep your Fern, you’ll be able to provide the best conditions for it. So let’s look at how to care for an Ostrich Fern.

Ostrich Fern Outdoor Care

It’s more common to find people growing Ostrich Ferns outdoors either added to a garden or a wooded area where they can thrive in shady patches.

Ostrich Fern Planting Location

When choosing a spot for this plant in your garden you want to find somewhere that is quite shady and protected from direct sunlight. Which is as most plants need to receive a lot of sun, an Ostrich Fern will fill up the spaces in your garden that sun doesn’t reach as much.

Try to keep it out of direct sunlight as if the plant receives too much sun you will notice scorching on the leaves.

Watering Requirements

Ostrich Ferns growing conditions require this plant to be kept in ground that’s relatively moist. If you live in a region that receives a lot of rainfall you probably won’t need to water your Ostrich Fern. However if you find that in the summer the ground becomes a lot drier then don’t hesitate to water the Earth around your Fern.

Temperature Requirements

As these Ferns do well in North America and northern Europe and Asia if you live in these regions then the ferns should do just fine. You might find that they die back in the winter but they will grow in abundance in the spring time. If you live closer to the equator then your fern might struggle and you may want to consider a different type.

Ostrich Fern Indoor Care

Choosing this plant as a houseplant isn’t as common but as ferns are becoming more popular anything is possible. So we’ve included a further guide on how to keep this as a houseplant rather than adding it to your garden.

Pot Placement

As an Ostrich Fern doesn’t like to be kept in direct sunlight, you should opt for a shadier spot in your home. A west or east facing windowsill should do or pick a spot in a south facing room that is further away from the window.

Ostrich Fern Watering

These plants like it moist, so make sure you water them regularly. They might need less watering during the winter months but this might not be the case if the air in your house is hot and dry.

Ostrich Fern Humidity Needs

Ferns prefer a moister air so humidifiers and misters are a great answer to this. You can keep your fern in a room with a humidifier and the fern should receive the moisture that it requires. If you don’t have a humidifier then simply mist your fern every other day and it should be fine.

Fertiliser

Like most ferns, this one doesn’t need too much fertilising as this can cause burning on the tips of the leaves. Use fertiliser sparingly and when you do make sure you dilute so the concentration isn’t as strong. Ostrich Ferns are fast growing plants anyway so you shouldn’t need to use too much fertiliser in order to see some serious growth.

Propagation

Ostrich fern plants can be propagated by dividing the crowns, making sure you don’t damage them in the process.

So to summarise your Ostrich Fern requires:

Partial to strong shade
Regular watering
Little fertiliser
Humid environment

Ostrich Fern FAQ

Now that you’ve read up on Ostrich Fern care, take a look at some of the frequently asked questions to ensure you’re doing all you can for your fern.

Are Ostrich Ferns invasive?

Ostrich Ferns can be invasive. They grow very quickly and can soon overrun an area that was once full of a diverse range of plants and flowers. If you are planning on planting Ostrich Ferns make sure you do so in an area that can be controlled to prevent them from taking over.

Do Ostrich Ferns die back in winter?

If the weather is cold and harsh enough then you will find that your ferns die back in winter but don’t worry because come spring time they’ll be back and they’ll grow so quickly its as if they never went away.

Will Ostrich Ferns grow in sun?

This plant will grow between in a shady area rather than a spot that receives full sun which makes them perfect plants for bottom dwelling. If you have a spot close to the ground that doesn’t receive too much light this is where you want to plant your Ostrich Fern to fill your garden and to promote the best growth.

Do Ostrich Ferns spread?

Yes. Just like we mentioned above about them being potentially invasive, Ostrich Ferns spread very quickly so be aware of this if you are introducing them into an area and don’t let them take over.

What is an Ostrich Fern height?

An Ostrich fern will grow to about 3 to 6 feet in height, giving it a bushy like appearance and making it perfect for filling out areas of your garden that are closer to the ground.

If you have any other questions about this plant then be sure to let us know in the comments below and we’ll do our best to help you with your fern needs.

Autumn Fern Care Guide

February 17, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Autumn Fern Breakdown

Latin Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
Other Names: Japanese Wood Fern, Copper Shield Fern
Place of Origin: East Asia
Watering Requirements: Like to be kept moist
Lighting Requirements: Prefer shade
Humidity Requirements: Prefers moist air
Soil Type: Well draining

Autumn Fern Care Guide

As Autumn Ferns are most commonly found outdoors in nature and as part of your garden our care guide has been split into separate outdoor and indoor care guides.

Outdoor Guide

An Autumn Fern will make a beautiful addition to your garden. The Autumn Fern is an evergreen that puts out new fronds in the spring. The fronds grow in amazing oranges and yellows which will stand out starkly from the deep green of the older fronds.

Where To Plant An Autumn Fern

Just like other ferns, the Autumn Fern is a great solution for shadier areas of your garden. So if you have a canopy of bushes or trees this fern can add depth closer down to the ground and can give you an added pop of colour against the green backdrop.

Try to avoid planting in direct sunlight as they do best in the shade.

What Sort Of Soil Should I Use?

These ferns will grow well in chalk, clay and sand soil types.

What Temperatures Can My Fern Tolerate?

Autumn Ferns can tolerate cooler temperatures but they will thrive better in warmer more humid environments. If your region gets very cold in the winter then you may find your fern dies back in the winter but will thrive again come spring time.

Do I Need To Water My Autumn Fern Outdoors?

Whether or not you’ll need to water your fern will depend on where you live. These plants do well in moist soil so if you live in a region that receives a lot of rainfall you probably will not need to water the Earth around your fern.

If you live in a drier climate and you notice the soil drying out then you will definitely need to water your ferns. Watch the weather and take notice of the moisture levels in the soil.

Indoor Guide

Autumn Ferns aren’t commonly kept as indoor houseplants but as all ferns are becoming more popular we wanted to include this section in case you were planning on adding an Autumn Fern to your collection.

Autumn Fern Light Placement

Just like our advice for outdoor care, an Autumn Fern likes to be kept in shadier spots so if you’re bringing it inside, make sure you don’t leave your fern somewhere they will be exposed to the full sun like a south facing windowsill.

Instead opt for a shady spot away from the sun’s harsh glares.

Indoor Soil Recommendation

If you are keeping your Autumn Fern indoors then we would recommend a general indoor potting mix, you can make the soil better draining by adding perlite.

Espoma Organic Potting Mix

Autumn Fern Misting Requirements

Autumn Ferns prefer a more humid environment, so if you live somewhere with drier air you may need to consider misting your Fern. If misting your ferns regularly isn’t something you want to do then a humidifier can provide the necessary moisture levels for your fern.

Our humidifer recommendation would be the Levoit humidifier that you can find on Amazon.

6L capacity
Warm and cool mist
Automatic sensor and adjuster

Autumn Fern FAQ

Now you’ve looked at the differences between outdoor and indoor care for an Autumn Fern, make sure you read our commonly asked questions.

Are Autumn Ferns Evergreen?

Autumn Ferns are evergreen ferns when kept in a warmer climate.

Can Autumn Ferns Take Full Sun?

Autumn Ferns really do prefer a shadier life. But if your climate isn’t too hot and they aren’t in the sun for long periods of the day they should do fine. It you live somewhere that receives a lot of sunlight and your plants are receiving too much light then you might notice that they don’t do too well.

If possible, your ferns would do much better if they were planted in partial shade to keep them protected from the sun’s rays throughout the day.

Do Autumn Ferns Die Back?

Whether they die back will depend on the climate they are planted in. If they are kept in a warmer region then they should be fine all year round. If you live somewhere colder they might die back in the winter but they will come back again in the summer months.

Is Autumn Fern A Perennial?

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.

Best Ferns For Your House

February 10, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Ferns are sometimes overlooked houseplants but bring a whole load of benefits to your home. You might not think of yourself as a fern person but it’s all about finding the best fern for your house.

Ferns are fantastic little plants that seem to grow everywhere. They’re bottom dwellers, growing under the foliage of other plants which makes them a great option for the spots in your home that maybe don’t get as much light as other places.

People might think fern and picture the typical jurassic park style ones but there are so many more and they are just waiting to join the plant family you have in your home.

So let’s take a look at some of the best ferns you get for your house right now.

Crocodile Fern

The Crocodile Fern is an interesting one that is growing in popularity all the time.

It gets its name for its interesting scale like pattern on its foliage and the fact it originates in Australia. Its unique look is what is making this fern a more and more popular addition to your house plant collection.

Birds Nest Fern

The Birds Nest Fern is a classic. It is a popular, easy to care for houseplant that is probably everyones first choice when buying a fern for their homes. The Birds Nest Fern tends to grow to a similar size in width as it does in height.

Asparagus Fern

Last but not least our personal favourite; the Asparagus fern.

The Asparagus Fern is a dainty little plant with foliage so fine it looks like feathers. It gives off the look that it should be growing in Forks in the Twilight series and is a fantastic addition to any houseplant collection.

Western Sword Fern

The Western Sword Fern has the classic look that you think of when you hear the word fern. Although mainly used as an outdoor plant. This fern is becoming a more common choice as a house plant due to its Jurassic Park like aesthetic.

The Western Sword Fern is a relatively easy plant to cultivate and take care of either as an outdoor or an indoor plant.

Ostrich Fern

The last of our collection of best ferns for your home is the Ostrich Fern.

The Ostrich Fern gets its name from the way the leaves of the fern stand of like the plumage of a bird. It’s a rather elegant looking fern and is not currently a very common houseplant. But we have the power to change that.

Growing Conditions For Your Fern

All ferns are slightly different so you’ll need to check the individual requirements before you add them to your home. But as a general rule, ferns are plants that don’t like direct sunlight, do well in low light and like everything to be quite moist. If this is an environment you can provide then a ferns the plant for you.

These are the best ferns for your house, now all you need to do is go out and buy one.

Where To Buy A Crocodile Fern

February 6, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

A Crocodile Fern is a member of the Fern family that originates from Australia. It gets its name from the scale like patterns found on its foliage.

Crocodile ferns are becoming increasingly popular due to their scaly leaves and many people are convinced of the reasons why to buy a crocodile fern but since they’re not as common as other houseplants people now want to know where to buy a crocodile fern.

Local Garden Centres Or Nurseries

If you’ve popped to your local plant shop and can’t find one of these ferns then that might be because the shop is just too small and the plant isn’t common enough to be stocked.

If this is the case then you need to think bigger. Instead of a plant shop go to a garden centre which usually stocks a whole load of different plants or you can even contact a nursery.

Find garden centres and nurseries in your area and ring up to see if they have this type of plant. If you don’t mind having to drive far you could even make a day of it.

IKEA Or Wallmart

Depending on where you live you might want to consider taking a trip to your local IKEA or Wallmart. Both of these shops stock

Order Your Crocodile Fern Online

Alternatively if this doesn’t work you can switch to online options. Now where you want to order from will probably depend on where you live. We have broken down our recommendations based on geography of English speaking countries.

Etsy – International

Etsy is a fantastic website that ships to lots of different countries and somewhere you can buy plants. They definitely have Crocodile Ferns available on their website, you just need to make sure they can be shipped to your location.

Hortology – UK

Hortology is a plant company from the UK that have a fantastic array of plants, the crocodile fern being one of them. If you were planning on buying within the UK then I would highly recommend using Hortology.

Lowes -USA

For all of those living in the USA you’ve probably already heard of Lowes and if not it’s a fantastic place to buy houseplants from. The selection is fantastic and you should be able to find your crocodile fern there.

These are some of the main websites you can use to find houseplants but of course there are others. If you’re restricted by geography then make sure you search for online plant shops in your country. Many businesses are international but as plants are living things, shipping internationally can become more difficult and not every company will do it.

Western Sword Fern Care

February 4, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

Western Sword Fern Breakdown

Family: Dryopteridaceae
Botanical Name: Polystichum munitum
Place of Origin: North America
Watering Requirements: Water regularly
Lighting Requirements: Partial shade
Humidity Requirements: Prefers damp air
Soil Type: Well draining

The Western Sword Fern has the classic appearance that you would expect when you think of a fern. It’s what you will come across in most wooded areas, with its fantastic green fronds growing at the incredible rate that you want from a fern.

All across the northern hemisphere you will find the Western Sword Fern. They are the perfect plant to create depth in a garden or woodland as they grow along the earth in shadier spots without much help from people.

However even though they don’t need too much care to grow they still have specific requirements that can help them long the way. Here are some of or top tips on Western Sword Fern Care.

Western Sword Fern Lighting Requirements

As ferns are bottom dwellers that often grow on the canopy floor of a forest, it’s no surprise that they like things to be a bit shady. In fact Western Sword Ferns prefer partial to even complete shade. This makes them perfect for spots in your garden that don’t get a lot of sun but need brightening with some greenery.

If you place them in direct sunlight they might survive but if the rays from the sun are too intense then you will find sun damage on your plant that can come in the form of brown scorched leaves.

Soil Requirements

The soil needed for a Western Sword Fern should be well-draining. It will need to be kept moist for the plant to thrive but you don’t want the roots sitting in water. Loam, chalk, sand or clay can be great bases in which to plant your fern.

Watering Requirements

Sword Fern plants like to be moist so they will need to be watered regularly. However if they are planted outside then you might not need to water them as much. If you live in an area that receives high rainfall then you won’t need to do that much watering to help your plants thrive. If you live in a drier climate or you’re experiencing a hot summer then you may need to water them more regularly yourself.

How To Prune Your Western Sword Fern

Your fern shouldn’t need too much pruning but you can cut off dead fronds and cut back your fern if it becomes overgrown for a tidier look. Leave your pruning for the spring time as the dead fronds can protect the plant during the colder months.

Fertilising Needs

The Sword Fern needs fertilising less often than other plants and make sure you only fertilise during the growing period which should be the spring and summer months. As this is a plant that requires less fertilising, make sure you dilute the plant food so it’s not too strong. A sign of the fertiliser being too strong can be burnt patches on the foliage.

If your plant is kept outdoors then you may notice the fronds browning and the plant appearing as if it were dying. During this time you don’t want to fertilise your plant. Let the natural process take place and when it comes back in the springtime you can fertilise it again.

So to summarise your Western Sword Fern requires:

Partial to full shade
Regular watering
Well draining soil
Regular misting or humidity

Western Sword Fern FAQ

Now you’ve read the sword fern care guide, take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions for any fern information that you may have missed.

How often should I mist my fern?

If your Western Sword fern is outdoors in a rainy region then you shouldn’t need to mist your fern. However if it lives in a drier region or you’re keeping your fern in doors where the air is less humid then you can mist your fern from a couple of times a week to every day.

Are sword ferns invasive?

Sword ferns do grow very quickly so if you plant one make sure it is in a region where you can control its growth otherwise you might find it growing out of control and overwhelming other plant species already living in the area.

How do you propagate a sword fern?

One way to propagate a Western Sword Fern is to sow spores into a potting mix. The other way is to propagate through root division. Simply dig up your plant, divide segments from the roots and replant.

How do you plant a sword fern?

Plant your sword fern in soil that is either loam, chalk, clay or sand, and water thoroughly. If being kept as an indoor plant you can opt for a pot on the smaller size rather than a large one.

In order for your Western Sword Fern to thrive you need to water it often but don’t leave it sitting in water, keep the air around it moist and place the plant in partial shade.

How big do Sword Ferns get?

You should expect your Sword fern to grow to around three feet in height and five feet in width. However under optimal conditions these ferns have been known to push out more growth and to get even bigger, some even reaching four feet tall and seven feet wide. Although you might not see your fern reach this size you will notice it grow quite quickly and to an impressive size.

Where is Sword Fern found?

The Western Sword Fern can be found all across the cooler regions of the northern hemisphere. You can expect to find this plant in north america and the northern countries of Europe and Asia. They grow at lower to mid elevations so the higher you go, the less ferns you will see. Finally they can generally be found in wooded areas that receive large rainfall as they like to be protected from the sun by the leaves of other plants and they like to be moist.

Why Get A Crocodile Fern

February 4, 2020 by Hayley Leave a Comment

A crocodile fern is an increasingly popular houseplant with its scaley foliage and by being relatively easy to care for.

Here are some of the reasons why we think you should get a Crocodile Fern as your next houseplant.

A Crocodile Plant Has A Unique Texture

The thing that sets the Crocodile Fern apart from other ferns is its unique texture. The pattern on its foliage is like the scales of a crocodile or alligator.

This makes your plant a stylish addition to your home as well as bringing the added benefit of having a houseplant with it.

Crocodile Ferns Aren’t Common Houseplants

Another great reason to consider getting a Crocodile Fern is because they aren’t very common houseplants which will make the fern in your home rather unique.

Monsteras and Peace Lilies are super popular so why not get yourself something that sets you apart from everybody else.

They’re Pretty Easy To Take Care Of

One of the good things about these plants is that if you follow the Crocodile Fern care guide they’re relatively easy to look after and aren’t as sensitive as other plants so they’re a good houseplant to get if you’re just starting your botanical journey.

They Improve Air Quality

Another great reason to get a fern is that they improve the quality of the air you’re breathing in. When you live in a city the quality of the air can deteriorate rapidly so its important that the air you breathe in is clean and good for you.

Getting a Crocodile Fern is a great way to improve the quality of the air you’re breathing in in your home.

Why Not To Get A Crocodile Fern

There are also some reason you may want to consider not getting a Crocodile Fern. We personally don’t think they should put you off but they might be important for you to consider.

They Require Humidity

One reason you may not want to get a Crocodile Fern is that its a plant that requires humidity. Which means that if you don’t live in a humid environment you’ll either have to invest in a humidifier or make the effort to mist your plant every day.

They Can Be Hard To Come By

Crocodile Ferns aren’t a common plant to come by just yet so you might have a difficult time finding one. This can put people off who prefer to buy their plants from garden centres rather than having to order them online.