Ferns are some of the most gorgeous houseplants you can grow... and one of the oldest plants on the planet. They're basically living dinosaurs. But if you've ever watched a maidenhair fern grow in a sidewalk crack, only to crumble the second you bring it indoors, you know exactly why ferns have a reputation for being impossible to keep alive.
Most people aren't failing at ferns. They're just growing the wrong fern for their home.
In this episode, I'm bringing back one of my favorite interviews from the archives with my friend Lisa from The Houseplant Guru. Lisa is a lifelong plant expert who has successfully grown ferns for years, even in a Midwest home that's about as far from a tropical rainforest as you can get.
We're talking about how to keep your ferns healthy, how to actually get them to grow, why you keep finding crispy fronds all over your floor, and how to choose the right fern for your lifestyle and your home conditions. Spoiler: it's almost never going to be the maidenhair fern... unless you're growing it under glass.
In this episode, we learn:
- [02:03] Meet houseplant expert Lisa!
- [03:27] Lisa’s 60-year-old heirloom Boston fern and why ferns get a bad rap
- [06:05] Where do ferns grow naturally?
- [08:53] Is there something about ferns' root systems that makes them more finicky?
- [10:51] How to choose the right window and light placement for ferns
- [12:28] How to fertilize ferns without burning their roots?
- [14:40] How to water ferns correctly?
- [20:53] How to safely treat pests and scale on sensitive leaves
- [23:55] What are spores, stolons, and how do ferns actually reproduce?
- [29:05] Maidenhair ferns
- [29:56] What are the best ferns for your home?
- [30:54] What does Lisa recommend with brown fronds?
- [34:20] Unique collector ferns to add to your collection!
- [38:20] How to care for staghorn ferns
- [41:36] How to properly water a bird’s nest fern without rotting the center
- [44:23] Tips for raising tree ferns and baby mother ferns using closed glass terrariums
- [46:53] Where to find Lisa, her resources, and her books!
Mentioned in our conversation:
Which fern are you most excited to try in your home?
Check out the full show notes and blog for Lisa's easy-care fern guide!
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