Intro
The fern family has many species and is actually the ultimate green houseplant. A large forest of green that is also excellent air-purifying. It is a versatile plant that can be placed both inside and outside, but could also be hung for example.
Location
Make sure that the fern is not placed in a place with direct sunlight on it. A place in the semi-shade is therefore best. The plant certainly needs light, but no direct sunlight. Too much sunlight causes the leaves to discolor and automatically reduces the ornamental value. Don’t put the plant too much in the shade, because it doesn’t like that either.
Watering
The fern is a thirsty plant that needs a lot of water. Always try to water on the side and not in the middle. This will prevent the heart from becoming bald. Make sure you never have a layer at the bottom of the pot. This is bad for the roots. Make sure, however, that the soil is always moist in the dry season.
Pruning
It can always happen that some leaves turn brown or ugly, as most species fern have many leaves. Cut these leaves as close to the trunk as possible so that new leaves can grow. If you find the leaves to be too long, cut them to the desired length and the leaves will automatically sprout again.
Repotting
The fern does not grow very fast and it is therefore not necessary to repot often. You can choose to repot the plant immediately after purchase. Take a new pot that is at least 20% wider than the grow pot so that the roots have enough space to expand. Always pot in the spring, so that the plant can recover from any damage.
Origin
The fern originates from New Zealand and South-East Asia. The name however comes from Greek. The official name for fern is ‘Nephrolepis’, which stands for ‘kidney scale’. The Greeks found that this plant had kidney-shaped leaves that would protect the plant as scales.
Diseases
The fern does not easily suffer from pests and diseases. Should it happen that pests do occur on the plant, it is advisable to immediately combat them with a biological or if desired a chemical pesticide.