Follow ThriftyFun
Home and Garden > Gardening > Seasonal on October 13, 2008

Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter

I have 2 big Boston ferns hanging outside that will need to be brought in for the winter. How can I keep the leaves from falling off and keep it alive through the winter?

Vickie from Earle, Arkansas

By vguy

Answers: Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter

Read answers for this question below.
By Polly (Guest Post) 10/15/2008

Ferns take in alot of water from the air around them. I would mist them lightly every day as winter air in a home is extremely dry.

By coreopsis (Guest Post) 10/13/2008

I've had good luck with the following strategy.

1. Keep the fern in a sunny room away from the heater vent.

2. Every other week or so, hang them in your bathroom after a steamy shower.

Hope this helps

Questions

Here are questions related to Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter.

Bringing Ferns Inside for the Winter

I would like to bring my fern inside for the winter, but I don't want to bring any insects inside with it. Should I spray my fern with some solution to get rid of the insects before bringing the fern inside?

By Barb B

SharePrintFollow1 Feedback

Most Recent Answer

By frugalsunnie 10/08/2011

If the fern is in the ground, leave it where it is because it's acclimatised and will be fine-it may look dead with winter but will perk right up in the spring.

If it's in a container, first give the soil a good soak with the garden hose and while you're doing that, spray the undersides of the fronds by tilting the hose nozzle up from underneath the fronds to blast (but gently) the critters out. I say gently because you don't want to blast off the spores on the undersides of the fronds-that's your foliage for next year and if you knock them all off you will shorten your ferns life.

If you see any critters escaping the unwanted bath, you could then follow up by using a drop of a very mild soap and water mixed to spray the soil and the fronds (including from underneath to avoid giving 'hitchhikers' a place to hide). You can find the size spray bottle I'm talking about at the dollar stores, etc.

Let the pot drain completely before moving it inside, and think about getting help if it's a large pot:)

I'm including a link with answers to lots of fern questions by a horticulturalist:

http://www.sdfern.com/ferncare.htm

Answer This Question

Add your voice to the conversation. Click here to answer this question.

Follow ThriftyFun