Did you know that ferns are among the oldest plants on the planet. Lemon grass, ribbon grass, pampas grass are all types of ferns.
The picture is of a Dwarf Crisped Fern which is a great candidate for a miniature garden. It grows extremely slowly and It has the cutest curls at the end. It loves indirect sunlight, humidity and steady watering. Please note it’s NOT an indoor plant.
Any kind of fern needs to be worked on to flourish:
- cut away all the dry or damaged leaves from the base of the plant
- turn the soil and add any organic manure
- spray the leaves thoroughly
- water a few hours later or the next day.
This ensures the top soil gets aerated, the roots get water and all the nutrition gets focused on the healthy leaves. Once you do this, your fern is going to feel and look like a million bucks. Try it on just one fern and you will see the difference it makes.
What you shouldn't do:
- avoid drastic pruning from the base
- avoid overwatering. wait until the soil is dry to water the plant.
It breaks my heart to see when maalis will cut away the entire plant from the base. Dry leaves, fresh leaves, baby leaves... everything goes. It’s the usual short cut to gardening. So apart from overwatering maalis are very good at over cutting. Never get your plants or shrubs pruned without specific instructions. When a plant is pruned it should look like it’s got a new hair style and not like it’s been beheaded or shaved off completely.
Happy gardening! Please write in for any questions you may have about any of your house plants.