If your maidenhair fern doesn’t look as good as it once did, or you forgot to water it and it became stressed, this video will show you how to revive your plant. The maidenhair fern in the video wasn’t getting enough humidity and was drought stressed. Learn the steps to revive your maidenhair fern.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening indoors! If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below. Today, we are embarking on a Maidenhair Fern revival. This Maidenhair Fern was given to me to revive. Sadly, it doesn’t look too great, but I’m glad to have it so that I can walk through the revival process with you.
We’re going to do several things today and then check back on it at a later time to see how it’s doing. From what I can tell, this fern wasn’t getting enough humidity and was also drought-stressed. If your Maidenhair Fern looks like this at some point, you can revive it too. The first thing I’m going to do is remove the dead and dying fronds, then repot it and provide it with some much-needed humidity.
Starting with the pruning, which always makes it look better, I’m cutting the dead fronds at the base. Sometimes, if they’re dead enough, they’ll just come out when you tug on them slightly. But be careful not to pull up good fronds, as the plant needs all the fronds it can get. Follow the frond down with your fingers and check carefully before removing it to avoid cutting the wrong one.
It’s important to remove dead foliage because it not only looks unattractive but can also attract pests and diseases. Dead and dying foliage will attract insects as it decomposes, providing them with food. Indoors, you don’t want to encourage that.
Pruning also helps to reveal how much foliage you have left, which is key when choosing a pot size. If a plant loses a lot of its upper foliage, you don’t want to put it in a pot that’s too large. A pot that’s too big can lead to root rot because the plant can’t absorb the water from the excess soil.
I’ve brought a couple of smaller pots here, and after cleaning up the fern, we’ll choose one that’s the right size. It’s always good to prune before selecting a new pot. Now, I’m taking the fern out of its old pot to examine the roots. Gently tapping the soil off will give us a better idea of the root health. I’m aiming for a 2/3 plant to 1/3 pot ratio, and this smaller root ball seems ideal for a slightly smaller pot.
The roots look healthy—there’s no root rot, just a lack of humidity and some underwatering. I suspect there may have been some fertilizer burn as well, but I’m not sure if chemical fertilizers were used. I’ll be repotting it into fresh soil, using ProMix BX, which I’ll link below. This mix contains worm compost and my Green Gourmet Houseplant food.
After repotting, I’ll place the fern on a humidity tray with flat marbles and water underneath. This will help the plant get the extra humidity it needs. I’ll also mist the fern a few times a day to simulate its natural environment. Grouping it with other plants will also increase humidity, as they transpire and humidify each other.
I’ve prepared a mixture of ProMix BX, worm compost, and my Green Gourmet Houseplant food, which contains natural growth hormones and beneficial mycorrhizae. I’m gently working the soil into the pot and around the root ball. The crown of the fern (where the roots meet the foliage) should be slightly above the soil to avoid crown rot. Finally, I’m watering the fern thoroughly, which is essential after repotting. I’ll continue to water it when it reaches about a 5 on the moisture meter to keep it on the moist side, but not too wet.
By placing the fern on the humidity tray, it’ll benefit from extra humidity and avoid sitting in excess water. I’ll also monitor for new growth from the crown, which is a good sign of recovery. New fronds emerging will show that the fern is on the road to revival.
Make sure to repot your Maidenhair Fern during the growing season, avoiding winter months. However, you can still increase humidity, trim dying fronds, and care for the plant while waiting for the right time to repot.
I’ll check back in later to see how this fern is doing. Thank you for joining me on this revival journey! Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Don’t forget to hit the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.
Maidenhair Fern Revival FAQ
How can I revive a Maidenhair Fern?
To revive a Maidenhair Fern, begin by removing dead and dying fronds. Repot it into fresh soil and provide the plant with increased humidity using methods like a humidity tray and misting.
Why is pruning dead fronds important?
Pruning dead fronds is essential to improve the plant’s appearance and prevent pests and diseases. Dead foliage can attract insects and contribute to plant stress.
How do I choose the right pot size for my Maidenhair Fern?
After pruning, assess the plant’s remaining foliage and roots. Choose a pot that’s not too large to avoid excess moisture in the soil, which can lead to root rot.
What type of soil should I use for repotting Maidenhair Ferns?
Use a high-quality soil mix, such as ProMix BX, which contains worm compost and beneficial nutrients like my Green Gourmet Houseplant food.
How should I water the Maidenhair Fern after repotting?
Water the fern thoroughly after repotting, and continue watering when the moisture meter reads about a 5 to keep the soil moist but not too wet.
How can I increase humidity for my Maidenhair Fern?
Place the fern on a humidity tray with flat marbles and water beneath it, mist it several times a day, and group it with other plants to naturally increase humidity.
When is the best time to repot a Maidenhair Fern?
Repot your Maidenhair Fern during the growing season and avoid repotting in winter. However, you can still care for the plant by trimming dying fronds and increasing humidity.
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