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. Feed your ferns with a ¼-diluted complete liquid fertilizer twice a … If a spring frost threatens, be sure to bring it back inside for the night. Ferns are relatively easy to prune. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. ... so in most years it's best to cut back canes no more than two-thirds of the way to the ground. Fronds of ferns unroll in spring and then grow upward and outward as they mature. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. True ferns reproduce via spores instead of seeds, dust-sized particles collected in small, circular sacs on the underside of fronds. Never prune tree ferns, except to remove damaged vegetation. It is not necessary to prune all the fronds since this is mostly for cosmetic reasons. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 106,107 times. If you have a bad infestation, you may need to throw out the houseplant so the scales don't spread to other houseplants. Ferns are hardy and low maintenance plants that can be grown indoors or outdoors. This article has been viewed 106,107 times. Humid air also supports fern health. Use room humidifiers inside, or place individual potted ferns atop a layer of stones in a drain tray partially filled with water. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Did I do something wrong? Mulch annually in autumn or spring with home-made leaf mould. University of Minnesota Extension; Growing Tropical Ferns Indoors; Deborah Brown, The American Fern Society: A Brief Introduction to Ferns, Clemson University Extension; Hardy Ferns; Rebecca Slater; May 2009. You can revive a dried out fern if you create the favorable conditions for growing. All Rights Reserved. Ferns are relatively easy to prune. Or you can put the frond in … % of people told us that this article helped them. Water ferns when the soil surface feels dry, and water well. If you will be dividing your fern, begin by cutting the foliage back. Same for Roses & Hydrangeas. For more advice from our Horticultural co-author, including how trim a potted fern, keep reading! When growing ferns indoors, just be sure to cut off dead or dried fronds when they appear. So I took scissors and cut everything. Watch this short video featuring Steven Fletcher of Fernatix, on the three Golden Rules of growing ferns: How to propagate ferns The fern should drop out of the pot. I have never cut back my ferns, didn't know I was suppose to. They were the key feature of the Paleozoic era's Carboniferous Period some 300 million years ago, their lives and deaths creating the vast carbon deposits -- now oil, natural gas and coal -- that fuel modern societies. Tidy up your ferns by cutting off the old fronds. Look for scales on the underside of leaves along the vein or on the stems. One can renovate sword ferns in “one fell swoop” by cropping back all the old foliage at once…tight cropped quite low to the ground (with hand pruners or shears). These tend to have softer more delicate fronds and so are more suited to a more shaded spot. Deciduous Ferns. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Keep in mind that the tips turn brown if you clip off the edges. Fronds of ferns unroll in spring and then grow upward and outward as they mature. Should I cut the dead fern off and bring it in the house? ... Bare root is the way to go. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. There are a few ways to collect the tiny spores. Rose Addison in LAWSON, LAWSON NSW. Last Updated: July 12, 2019 With ferns the only reason to cut back dead, tattered fronds is our vanity. When a frond has died back completely to the ground, simply use a pair of … Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Once the plant is settled, it will grow back. The only time you would ever need to prune out all the fronds is when you are faced with a monumental pest problem. If there are dried out sticks with no foliage, you can trim them off to encourage new growth. It seemed to like the cuttings and a couple new fronds grew except there was just a huge mess of old compacted fronds that I feel were in the way of new growth. Provide good air circulation, adequate light and well-drained, moist soil. Starting early in the summer, trim off the dead branches near the crown to keep your plant healthy. Step back and re-examine the tree fern. Cut back fronds when needed to keep your fern foliage fresh and vigorous. You can also repot the other divisions at this time as well for even more plants. In other words, leaving the old fronds in place can help your fern survive through the cold of winter and return in the spring. About half the prehistoric ferns eventually developed seeds, and gave rise to today's flowering plants. Did you know you can read answers researched by wikiHow Staff? Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. If you do all that correctly, your tree fern is going to be very happy in its new home and you'll get pleasure from it for many years." Lastly, be sure to check on your Lechuza self-watering planter to make … Herbaceous ferns growing indoors as houseplants don't need to be cut back, but can benefit from an occasional haircut. Fronds of ferns unroll in spring and then grow upward and outward as they mature. These should be cut with very sharp scissors or pruning shears and taken back 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the crown. As with outdoor ferns you may choose to remove dead fronds. Nature of problem: Cutting off trunk of large tree fern to re-grow. By using our site, you agree to our. If you want to create a shape, you can trim around the edges of the plant. If the fern does not slide out easily, tap the container against the edge of a … It is hanging on the front porch, getting the morning sun. Boston ferns are easy growers if you're willing to do the "in and out dance" with them as the seasons change. One of the facets of caring for outdoor ferns is trimming or pruning them to keep the tidy. What do I do with the sticks throughout the plant? Prune damaged fronds of evergreen ferns in late winter or early spring, as new growth begins to emerge. To prune your outdoor ferns, use gardening shears to cut back the old foliage during spring, which will make it easier to cut through the new growth in the summer. Ferns. Ferns were ancient long before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Cut all fronds all the way back to the ground. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Ferns are ancient, dating all the way back to the Carboniferous period. And while you're out cutting back those evergreen ferns, go ahead and cut back your evergreen groundcovers nearby. At least after risk of any more snow fall. Those tender indoor stems need to toughen up and be hardened off before the plant can be out all day. By cutting them, you're letting your plant focus on other vital areas. The simple answer is no. Few, if any, plants need human intervention to survive. Don't crowd ferns, or place them too close to walls. Most ferns are hardy plants so they revive back in a few weeks after you correct the problematic conditions. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Prune-Ferns-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Ferns-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Prune-Ferns-Step-1.jpg\/aid10076699-v4-728px-Prune-Ferns-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"