Known for their long, regal fronds, the beauty of the Silver Lady Fern adds a touch of tropical sophistication, and can easily elevate rooms with lower-than-average light. They are a great pick as a starter fern, and readily available at many local nurseries. Balancing their needs may take an extra few steps, but thriving ferns are well worth the investment.
While Silver Lady Fern is the most common name, the official scientific name for this fern is Blechnum gibbum.
These plants thrive best with the conditions that can be easily tweaked in most homes and offices. With the correct light, water, and humidity level, your Silver Lady Fern can be a healthy and beautiful plant companion, making it a great option as a starter plant for someone interested in learning about caring for ferns. With the best mix of lighting, watering, temperature and humidity, you can help your Silver Lady Fern thrive.
How much light do Silver Lady Fern plants need?
Perfecting the lighting needs of this plant is important to encouraging new growth and overall plant health – and ferns couldn’t be easier in this regard. Your Silver Lady Fern does best in medium indirect light, which should be no problem for a majority of readers with average lighting conditions. Keeping this fern near a window in your home or office that gets at least 6 hours of natural sunlight daily. This will replicate the conditions these plants evolved in the wild under the thick and shady rainforest canopy.
This is why excessive, direct sunlight from the sun – even for just a few minutes – may harm your plant. It’s better to stay clear of direct exposure for ferns at all costs. Doing so may burn your plant, resulting in crunchy brown leaves that need to be removed. If you’d like to keep your fern outside, make sure it’s in a shady location away from the harmful rays of direct sun exposure. But in a shadier spot like a covered patio, these plants will thrive during the hot summer months – especially if you have a very humid environment!
On the other hand, ferns can’t be grown in complete darkness and need some light to survive. Conditions like basements or other dark areas might not be enough to keep these plants happy on their own. Common red flags for lighting issues include droopiness or fallen leaves as your plant struggles to find light. If this is the case, adding in an inexpensive LED grow light, or simply moving the plant to a more ideal area will bring your plant back in no time.
You’ll also see that your plant will make an effort to grow towards its light source. If possible, rotate the fern a quarter turn each week to keep your plant well balanced. Rotating once a week will let keep your plant looking full and strong. It also helps prevent favoring the part closest to its source of light. Getting the perfect lighting balance will go a long way to making your plant happy. It’s no surprise that the majority of plant owners worry that their plants aren’t receiving enough sunlight.
How much water does the Silver Lady Fern want?
Like all ferns, Silver Ladies need a balance between getting enough water to keep them healthy, while avoiding overwatering as to not create any health issues from having your plant grow in standing water. These plants appreciate a high amount of water to keep their soil moist. For these ferns, it’s ideal to water at least once a week, totally soaking the soil in order to keep this plant happy.
When you’re watering your Silver Lady Fern plant, make certain you’re giving enough water to saturate through the soil. Making use of filtered water will be best if you have access to it. This is particularly true if your area has hard water or is chemically-treated.
Tips to prevent Silver Lady Fern overwatering
You really should stay clear of overwatering your Silver Lady Fern. 90% of indoor plants that do not last are due to overwatering.
What could happen if you overwater your plant? You may bring in parasites or fungal infections that can be fatal. What’s the simplest way to prevent overwatering? Just before you water your plant, are sure the top inch of soil is absolutely dry. if it isn’t your plant will not require to be watered.
In addition, putting your Silver Lady Fern plant in a plant pot that includes drainage holes and a dish will help extra water properly drain through. By allowing excess water to go through the plant pot, your Silver Lady Fern roots will remain drier than if the water was stuck in the planter. Without a drain, water can linger, attracting parasites and fungus growth, causing root rot.
How to not under water Silver Lady Fern plants
Underwatering your Silver Lady Fern plant can also result in decline. Whenever the top inch of your plant’s soil is dried out, it’s the right time to water. Silver Lady Fern plants can take some dryness between waterings. You may notice your plant drying out as it tries to retain moisture if you forget to water it consistently.
The most ideal temperature for Silver Lady Fern
Silver Lady Fern plants grow best in normal indoor temperatures. This makes them excellent plants for the home. If your region goes through seasonal changes in temperature, it’s best to keep away from places that might be vulnerable to cold drafts or excessive heat. Your plant will probably remain healthy and grow if stored in an area that’s consistent at all times of the year.
For this reason, it’s best to stay clear of positioning your Silver Lady Fern near drafty windows or exterior doors that are used regularly throughout seasons that include harsh cool or heat. By maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, your Silver Lady Fern plant will have a long, healthy lifespan.
Best moisture for Silver Lady Fern
Keeping your Silver Lady Fern plant in above average humidity will keep it in good shape. Drier enviornments can adversely impact your plant, causing slow growth or decline.
What’s the best way to sustain high humidity for your Silver Lady Fern plant?
There are multiple techniques to keep your humidity level elevated. One way is to transfer your plant to a high-humidity space, such as a bathroom. But be sure it’ll receive ample sunlight and the right temperature if you decide to relocate your plant.
You can additionally buy an inexpensive spray bottle and mist the leaves of your Silver Lady Fern daily to keep moisture all around your plant. Not everyone has time to mist their plans, though. Think about shopping for a compact humidifier in order to add the required humidity to the air – specifically during overly dry winter months.
Maintaining humidity levels high can let your plant remain healthy.
Silver Lady Fern fertilizer
Like other plants in the Ferns family, Silver Lady Fern plants will react well to added nutrients. It’s best to fertilize your plant right before the spring growth season. This will assist your plant get ready to grow. This could be the right time to see if you should transplant this plant to a larger container if it looks to be getting a little cramped. You may even use this time to change old or compacted soil to promote new growth for the summer months ahead.
Are Silver Lady Fern plants safe for dogs, cats and pets?
The Silver Lady Fern is non-toxic to cats and dogs and is usually considered pet-safe. Because of this, this could be a good plant to buy if your cat or dog has a tendency to irritate your houseplants. Your plants can do better if they are not agitated by any pets or little ones.
What to look for in picking the perfect Silver Lady Fern at the nursery
Do you think you can take care of a brand new Silver Lady Fern plant after reading this guide on PottedPlants.org? At your local plant nursery, you should manage to find medium Silver Lady Fern plants that are 12″-17″ in size to bring home.
When picking your Silver Lady Fern plant, take a look for any damaged leaves, insects in the soil, or other clues of damage. This look will make sure your plant is healthy and will do well when you take it home. Your new plant could take a number of weeks to adjust to your environment. Come back to review this resource, and along with any chance, you’ll have a healthy plant a long time to come.