Ferns are popular choices for enhancing indoor spaces and outdoor gardens. This article guides you through selecting a healthy fern from Lowe’s, transporting it home safely, and providing the essential care needed for it to thrive.
Selecting Healthy Ferns at Lowe’s
When choosing a fern at Lowe’s, inspect the plant thoroughly. Look for vibrant green foliage and avoid yellowing leaves or brown tips, which can signal stress or improper care. Examine the stems to confirm they are firm and upright, not limp or wilting.
Check both the top and underside of the leaves for any visible signs of pests, such as sticky residue, fine webbing, or small insects. The soil in the pot should feel consistently moist but not overly saturated or completely dry. If possible, gently check the roots through the drainage holes; healthy roots appear light-colored and firm, not mushy or dark.
Lowe’s stocks popular fern varieties. You might find Boston Ferns, often sold in hanging baskets, known for their lush, arching fronds. Kimberly Queen Ferns are another common choice, recognized for their upright growth and hardiness. You may also encounter Maidenhair Ferns with delicate, airy fronds, or the shield-like fronds of Staghorn Ferns. Lowe’s offers a general plant guarantee or return policy.
Bringing Your New Fern Home
Transporting your new fern safely from Lowe’s to your home is important. Protect the plant from extreme temperatures, whether very hot or very cold, by placing it in a climate-controlled part of your vehicle. Ensure the fern is secured so it does not tip over or get damaged during transit.
Upon arrival, allow your fern to acclimate to its new environment. Place it in a stable spot away from direct sunlight, cold drafts from windows, or fluctuating temperatures near heating and cooling vents for the first few days. This helps reduce the shock of moving.
Check the soil moisture immediately after bringing the fern home. If the soil feels dry, water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. Store environments often have higher humidity than homes, so consider placing the fern near other plants, on a pebble tray filled with water, or using a temporary humidifier. Ferns prefer bright, indirect light, so choose an initial placement that avoids direct sun exposure.
Essential Ongoing Fern Care
Understanding the light requirements for ferns is important for their health. Bright, indirect light means a spot that receives plenty of ambient light but no direct sunbeams hitting the leaves, which can scorch them. If a fern’s fronds appear pale or yellow, it might be getting too much light, while sparse or leggy growth can indicate insufficient light.
A consistent watering routine is important for ferns, as they prefer continuously moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Check the top inch of the soil; if it feels slightly dry, it is time to water. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom, then empty any excess water from the saucer to prevent root rot. Using distilled or rainwater can be beneficial if your tap water is particularly hard.
Maintaining high humidity is important for most ferns. Regular misting can temporarily increase humidity, but more consistent methods include grouping ferns with other plants to create a localized humid microclimate, using a room humidifier, or placing the plant in a naturally humid area like a bathroom. Ferns thrive in well-draining, rich potting mixes. Fertilize sparingly during the active growing seasons, spring and summer, using a diluted liquid fertilizer.
Brown leaf tips are a common issue, signaling low humidity, while yellowing leaves can point to either overwatering or underwatering. Leggy growth suggests the fern is not receiving enough light. Addressing these issues promptly can restore the fern’s vigor. Regularly inspect your fern for common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs, which appear as tiny dots or cottony masses.