what to feed sword ferns

For the most part, ferns

are light feeders and the same goes for the western sword fern. That being said, these ferns can benefit from a couple of applications of fertilizer during the spring and summer when they are actively growing. Choose a balanced fertilizer such as a 20-20-20 and dilute it to half-strength before applying.

Full Answer

What kind of soil do sword ferns like?

Sword ferns can grow well in acidic soil (pH 5.6 to 6.0), but do better with a mildly acidic soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5, for both indoor and outdoor planting. Soil should be well-drained, with an organic topsoil of humus and small stones to mimic the fern’s natural growing conditions.

How to take care of sword ferns?

How-to Guide to Caring for the Sword Fern 1 Facts about Sword Ferns. Sweeping ornamental Sword ferns are found naturally in wooded areas in the Western U.S., but are also popular as houseplants. 2 Planting Sword Ferns. ... 3 Propagating Sword Ferns. ... 4 Pruning Sword Ferns. ... 5 Caring for Sword Ferns Indoors. ...

How to feed outdoor ferns?

It is also advised to use organic material or fertilizers for feeding your outdoor fern plants. In case you see that your ferns have become limp or weak, you can feed them worm castings, peat, or leaf mold. Watering your ferns is necessary since this mixes the fertilizer to the soil for better growth results. How to Feed Indoor Ferns?

Are sword ferns good for hanging baskets?

In the garden, Sword ferns offer lots of shade under trees. Easy to maintain indoors, smaller Sword ferns in a hanging basket add an exotic charm to bathrooms or living rooms in a hanging basket. The Sword Fern isn’t picky about weather, sun, or soil.

What is the best fertilizer for sword ferns?

Epsom salts can be used as a liquid fertilizer for ferns, providing magnesium sulfate which can speed up plant growth. However, it is not a necessary part of fern care, and consistent fertilization with a regular balanced fertilizer should be enough for a western sword fern.

What do sword ferns eat?

9:4310:27EatTheWeeds: Episode 122: Sword Fern - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThem just like potatoes.MoreThem just like potatoes.

How do you take care of a sword fern?

Water regularly to maintain evenly moist soil - weekly, or more often. Provide humus rich, fertile, well-drained soil. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, water as needed to maintain consistent soil moisture.

What do sword ferns need?

Sword ferns perform best in moist shady conditions. However, as long as there is good drainage, the sword fern can easily adapt to a number of soil conditions. They can even thrive in the sun when given plenty of moisture. Sword ferns transplant easily in the garden.

How long do sword ferns live?

Polystichum munitum These plants establish themselves in rocky soil but develop to maturity in the acidic, humus-rich soil that characterizes a conifer forest's understory. The sword fern is also remarkably long-lived; these bushy shrubs survive for 500 years or more.

What are the little balls in the roots of ferns?

These balls, which develop where the fronds meet the underground rhizomes, are small, round growth nodules about the size of a grape. The nodules, also known as “bulbils,” usually appear near the end of the growing season, between late summer and autumn.

How do you fertilize a sword fern?

Scratch in 1 1/2 tablespoons of 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer into the top 1 inch of soil around the base of the fern and water the area well to dissolve the fertilizer. Feed the plant once when new growth begins in spring and again in the middle of summer.

How do you rejuvenate a sword fern?

4:436:15How to Prune SWORD FERN Polystichum munitum - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd i'll cut them off down right at soil level down here they'll come back from there this is aMoreAnd i'll cut them off down right at soil level down here they'll come back from there this is a perennial. And that's what they do.

Do sword ferns like coffee grounds?

It's also vital to use coffee grounds in a way that won't harm your plants or the microorganisms in the soil. The simple answer is that yes, ferns love coffee!

Does sword fern need fertilizer?

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.

When should I repot my sword fern?

Typically, ferns need to be repotted every two years. Check its roots once a year. If the roots are starting to circle around the container, it is time to repot. If there is still soil around the edge of it, it should be fine for another year.

Can we eat sword ferns?

The roots of this fern, much like the woodfern, are edible raw or boiled in the spring.

Can chickens eat sword ferns?

Ferns. Not all ferns are poisonous plants for chickens, but bracken ferns are toxic. These plants cause anemia, weight loss, and muscle tremors, but typically, chickens have to consume large quantities for that to happen.

How deep are sword fern roots?

Many western swordfern associations occur on moderately deep to deep (effective rooting depths of 3 feet (1 m) or more), well-drained but moist soils with fine to moderately fine (silty clay loam to sandy loam) surface textures [16,53,64,91,97,99,169].

Are sword fern roots invasive?

The invasive sword fern can take over and displace all other ferns, ground covers and low growing plants by forming impenetrable dense stands.

What is a sword fern?

The sword fern ( Polystichum munitum) plant is a lush, evergreen groundcover known for its bright green, sword-shaped fronds. You’ll find the young fronds, or fiddleheads, appearing in early spring from their underground rhizomes with most plants eventually reaching 4 to 6 feet (1-2 m.) long. In addition to spreading through rhizomes, sword ferns ...

Where do sword ferns grow?

While they are most commonly found growing in moist, wooded areas, sword ferns are quickly becoming popular in the home garden as well. These interesting plants are easy to grow with sword fern care being just as simple.

How do sword ferns reproduce?

In addition to spreading through rhizomes, sword ferns will also reproduce via spores that are found along the backside of the fronds. These spores appear as brown spots, which are clustered together in groups.

Can sword ferns be used as groundcover?

Although most people prefer to grow them for ornamental purposes, they have other uses too. For instance, sword ferns make excellent groundcover plants. When planted on hillsides, they can be useful in preventing erosion. They work well with other perennial plantings as well, especially when used as understory plants.

Do sword ferns need water?

Once established in the garden, caring for sword ferns is easy. They are drought resistant and usually don’t require much in the way of water, except during the first year after planting when they should be kept evenly moist.

Can sword ferns be transplanted?

Sword ferns transplant easily in the garden. While some people may be lucky enough to have these plants growing naturally on their property already, there are various cultivars available through nurseries.

Is sword fern invasive?

There are several varieties of ferns that are commonly called Sword Ferns and some can be very invasive in some climates. Printer Friendly Version. This article was last updated on 06/08/21.

Why is the sword fern a good plant?

According to horticulturist Linda McMahan of OSU Extension, the Sword fern has thick foliage to help control weeds, and its fibrous root system helps control erosion when planted on a slope to control the natural habitat.

What is the best soil for sword ferns?

Sword ferns can grow well in acidic soil (pH 5.6 to 6.0), but do better with a mildly acidic soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5, for both indoor and outdoor planting. Soil should be well-drained, with an organic topsoil of humus and small stones to mimic the fern’s natural growing conditions. Add organic matter to sandy or clay soil before planting a Sword fern.

What is a sword fern?

A member of the low maintenance evergreen family, the Sword Fern adds form and texture to your garden. Boston ferns ( Nephrolepis exaltata) are sometimes referred to as Western ferns. There’s not a big difference between the appearance or maintenance needs of either fern, although they’re found in different parts of the country.

How big do sword ferns get?

With lacy, pointed fronds that grow up to four feet high and eight feet wide, the Sword Fern offers appealing filler for large gardens. Its medium to dark green tufts fit in with any combination of backyard foliage and flowers. Polystichum Munitum, commonly referred to as a Sword fern or Western Sword Fern, blooms in wooded areas along ...

How to propagate sword ferns?

Propagating Sword Ferns. Propagate a Sword fern from rhizomes (the stemlike structure in the middle of the plant). You’ll need to take a rhizome from an existing Sword Fern in the fall, or in the spring just as plants begin to grow again, to birth a new fern. You can also propagate new Sword ferns from spores.

How to know if sword fern is alive?

After a long winter, it might be difficult to determine if a Sword fern’s still alive due to the frost, but in most cases the fern’s just hibernating. In the spring (usually in March), cut the plant down to the ground to release the old fronds. Trimming the plant also protects yet to emerge fronds, allowing them to unfurl faster at the beginning of each season. While there’s some debate as to the effectiveness of this method, some people swear by it.

How to clean dead leaves off a sage plant?

Using disinfected pruning tools, cut dead or damaged fronds. Use an angled cut to clean up dead leaves, chopping off at the point latch onto the brown stem in the center of the plant. The lower outer fronds wilted make way for new fronds growing from the middle of the plant.

What is the best soil for sword ferns?

Good quality potting soil with relatively low nutrients is the best substrate for the Sword fern. In addition, mixtures of compost and leaf mold have proven suitable.

What is a sword fern?

The Sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a houseplant from the Sword fern (Nephrolepidaceae) family , which includes around 30 species. Nephrolepis exaltata is the most common species and originates from tropical forests where it generally grows as an epiphyte on other plants in more swampy areas. The Sword fern has been cultivated in gardens for almost 200 years. It likes to filter harmful substances, such as formaldehyde, out of the air and in this way contributes towards improving the room climate with its decorative, light green fronds. Whether in the office, in a light bathroom or another light, warm spot in the house: Nephrolepis exaltata is one of the most popular houseplants.

How to propagate sword fern?

The Sword fern is best propagated through division or offshoots. Filimentary offshoots on which small plants form are separated in the summer and placed in small pots.

Do you cut back sword ferns?

It is not generally necessary to cut back the Sword fern.

Is sword fern evergreen?

The Sword fern is an evergreen, persistent plant which grows as an upright to overhanging Fern and forms a dense clump. The fronds spring from an underground, upright growing rhizome and are arranged in a grounded rosette.

When should I take care of sword ferns?

After rough winters, sword ferns may look like snow and ice have killed them. But, often these resilient plants are just fine. In fact, late winter or early spring is when I usually get out there for my one-time sword fern care visit. Learn more about how to care for your ferns in our detailed lessons.

What do ferns add to a garden?

Ferns add interesting texture and form to the garden.

Why cut back sword ferns at the end of winter/beginning of spring?

I make these cuts in early spring so I can enjoy the evergreen fronds all winter. Also, the overwintering fronds help protect the tight “fists” of new fiddleheads from harsh winter weather.

What is the easiest fern to care for?

Most garden ferns are easy to care for. And, one of our favorite garden ferns is the tough-as-nails NW sword fern. Also, this easy fern is known botanically as Polystichum munitum.

Why don't people like ferns?

In fact, the reason many people don’t like the look of ferns is because they don’t cut them back each year. And, when you don’t cut them back, they get this half dead/half alive hideousness.

When do I cut down ferns?

So, I have an evergreen fern from April until about February/March when I cut it down. Then, I enjoy the unfurling that happens rapidly right after I cut the sad, old fronds down. In fact, timing is everything. By cutting at this time, my plant is visible almost the entire year.

Who sells sword ferns in PacNW?

One of our favorite suppliers of PacNW ferns is Fancy Fronds Nursery. Not only will they supply sword ferns, but they’ve also got a great supply of all sorts of fabulous ferns. In fact some are common and others are rare and unusual.

What to feed ferns?

In case you see that your ferns have become limp or weak, you can feed them worm castings, peat, or leaf mold.

How to Feed Outdoor Ferns?

One of the main things you need to remember while feeding ferns is that they cannot sustain when exposed to an excessive fertilizer amount. That is why over-fertilization is something that you have to be very cautious about.

How Should I Water My Boston Ferns?

Growing Boston ferns is not too hard, but they do require plenty of water and sunlight . Without these, the leaves of your Boston plant would frequently shed, ultimately dying.

What nutrients do ferns need?

Normally ferns require a balanced mixture of the key nutrients that are Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. Nitrogen is a very important component that contributes to the green color of your fern plant.

How many spikes are in a fern plant?

There are eighteen spikes in the package, which can be used for a long time. These spikes have an NPK ratio of 9-12-6, which brings the percentage of Nitrogen to 9%, Phosphorous to 12%, and Potassium to 6%. Other than these three, you will find many other necessary nutrients that are good for the fern plant’s growth.

Why are my ferns turning brown?

One of the essential facts to keep in mind while planting indoor ferns is that they need lots of humidity. If your indoor fern stays dry for a long time, then it can turn the leaves brown. Keep a water spray near your plants and water them whenever possible.

Why are my ferns growing so slowly?

This could cause an imbalance in their growth because they have to be handled with extreme care. Feeding your outdoor ferns with a slow-release formula that has light elements would be a good option.

Ferns are normally Hardy

In general, some ferns are normally hardy and they have the ability to bounce back from issues. There are so many reasons behind the problem and wilt of ferns.

Outdoor Ferns

Reviving an outdoor fern requires a different approach as compared to an indoor fern. Of course, you can control the outdoor environment so it is a bit difficult to revive sword fern in an outdoor climate. First of all, make sure that the soil drains properly.

7 Simple Steps to Revive a Sword Fern

1. If you are seeing a drying problem in a sword fern, then water the plant.

Reviving a Sword Fern in a Pot

You can grow or revive a sword fern in a small pot. Reviving a sword fern in a pot is really easy. Just cut the dying branches and keeps the healthy ones.

Ways to Save a Sword Fern from Dying

Whether you want to save an outdoor or indoor sword fern, you need to pay heed to the drainage system. The main reason for dying a sword fern is due to poor drainage.

Important Tips

If you notice dark spots on the leaves and fronds, then fret not. They are the sign that how fern reproduces.

Warnings

Do not keep your sword fern in the sunlight because it can turn its leaves brown. Plus, the risk of burning is also there.

Where do ferns grow?

It grows wild and rampant all over Northeastern America and Asia, exactly as it has for over a hundred million years. Many of the ferns we grow as common garden ferns are the same species of fern that has grown here since the Cretaceous period, about 145 million years ago.

What to do if ferns are limp?

The best thing to try if ferns look pale and limp is to add organic material like peat, leaf mold or worm castings around the root zone. If fern beds are well maintained and kept free of fallen leaves and debris, it’s best to top dress the soil around your ferns each spring with rich organic material.

Why are my ferns turning brown?

If the outer fronds or tips of the fronds turn brown, this is a sign of over fertilizing outdoor ferns. You can then try to flush the fertilizer from the soil with extra watering. Ferns like a lot of water and should be fine with this flushing, but if tips turn black, decrease the watering.

How old is the oldest fern?

Fertilizing Outdoor Ferns – Types Of Garden Fern Fertilizer. The oldest discovered fossil of a fern is dated back to about 360 million years ago. The interrupted fern, Osmunda claytoniana, has not changed or evolved at all in 180 million years. It grows wild and rampant all over Northeastern America and Asia, exactly as it has for ...

Can you kill ferns with a black thumb?

What this means for us is that Mother Nature has got fern growing down pat, and no matter how much of a black thumb you think you have, you probably won’t kill them. That said, when it comes to fertilizing outdoor ferns, there are things you should know.

Do ferns need fertilizer?

Even ferns divided in fall will not need to be fertilized until spring. Adding fertilizer in fall can be far more hurtful than helpful. You can cover fern crowns with mulch, straw or peat in late autumn though for a little boost of nutrients in early spring. Did you find this helpful?