Your ferns in the winter need a humid place with bright indirect sunlight (near the south-facing window is best). You must take it away from heat sources and cold drafts and reduce or stop fertilizing. Keep reading to tell you more tips about caring for hanging ferns in winter.
Whether you grow your lovely fern indoors or outdoors, you must take measures for their overwintering by the coming cold seasons. You may say “I bring my outdoor fern indoors and put it near my other plants and indoor plants don’t also have overwintering in my warm house”. But it’s wrong.
Hi, I’m a horticultural consultant and in this post want to give tips about overwintering ferns. Before let me tell you a note about caring for houseplants in winter. Plants feel a cold season not only due to low temperatures but also changes in light period (day duration). The short days in fall and winter tell them to get ready for a dormancy period, although your house is warm.
Hence, you must change your caring program to help them pass cold seasons healthy. In this post, I want to give you tips about caring for ferns overwintering indoors and also ferns which are brought indoors from outdoors.
Pro Tips for Caring for Indoor Hanging Ferns in the Winter
Master Humidity
- Hyper-humidification: Ferns crave humidity. Invest in a room humidifier or create a DIY humidity tray by placing the hanging basket on a tray filled with pebbles and water.
- Leaf misting: Daily misting with lukewarm, distilled water can provide an immediate humidity boost, but ensure proper ventilation to prevent fungal issues.
Light Optimization
- Bright but indirect: Ferns love light, but direct sun is a no-no. Find a spot with bright, indirect light. North-facing windows often work well.
- Grow light supplement: If natural light is limited, consider supplementing with a grow light for a few hours daily.
Precision Watering
- Bottom watering: note to the soil, if your house is very warm or your fern is near a heat source, the soil may dry out quickly. To avoid mineral buildup and root rot, consider bottom watering. Submerge the entire pot in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes, allowing excess water to drain. Read my other post about drainage for hanging plants.
- Soil moisture check: Use a moisture meter or your finger to check soil moisture. Keep it consistently moist but not soggy.
Nutrient Boost
- Diluted liquid fertilizer: During winter, provide a diluted dose of a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month to support growth.
- Organic options: Consider organic, slow-release fertilizers for sustained nutrient delivery.
Temperature Regulation
- Cool corner: Ferns prefer cooler temperatures. Find a spot away from heat sources and cold drafts. Ideal temperature range is 60-75°F (15-24°C).
- Air circulation: Ensure good air circulation around the fern to prevent fungal diseases.
Preventative Care
- Pesticide vigilance: Regularly inspect for tiny bugs in houseplants like spider mites and mealybugs. Treat promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Clean foliage: Gently wipe fern fronds with a damp cloth to remove dust and improve light absorption.
Repotting Strategy
- Spring rejuvenation: Repotting is best done in spring when new growth emerges. Use a well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter.
- Root inspection: Carefully inspect roots for signs of rot or overcrowding before repotting.
Pro Tips for Bringing Ferns Indoors for Winter
Bringing your beloved ferns indoors for the winter can be a challenge, but with these expert tips, you can ensure their survival and even thriving:
Preparation is Key
- Timing is everything: Bring your ferns indoors before the first frost.
- Pest inspection: Thoroughly inspect your ferns for pests like aphids, mealybugs, or spider mites. Treat any issues before bringing them inside.
- Cleanliness: Hose down the entire plant to remove dirt and debris. This also helps to dislodge any hidden pests.
Ideal Indoor Environment
- Bright, indirect light: Ferns prefer bright, indirect light. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight.
- Humidity is crucial: Ferns thrive in high humidity. Use a humidifier, place the fern on a pebble tray with water, or mist regularly.
- Cool temperatures: Ideal indoor temperatures for ferns are between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Avoid placing them near heat sources.
- Air circulation: Ensure good air circulation around your fern to prevent diseases.
Careful Care
- Water wisely: Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly before watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
- Fertilize sparingly: Reduce fertilization during winter. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots.
- Prune regularly: Remove brown or yellow fronds to encourage new growth.
- Watch for pests: Continue to monitor for pests and treat as needed.
Overwintering Challenges
- Leaf drop: Some leaf drop is normal during winter. Don’t panic if you notice a few leaves turning brown.
- Dormancy: Some ferns may go dormant during winter. This is natural and doesn’t necessarily mean the plant is dying.
Conclusion
After reading this post, now have a guideline for caring for your hanging ferns in the winter. you must do some things like Timing, Pest inspection, and Cleanliness for your ferns and put them in a place that is Bright, indirect light with high Humidity, Cool temperatures and Air circulation.
Do you know more about taking care of ferns during overwintering? Do you think this post was helpful? Please share your experiences and ideas with us and ask me your questions below this page.
Elahe Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.