Ferns, with their lush green fronds and graceful appearance, are a fantastic way to bring natural beauty to your outdoor spaces. Whether you envision them cascading from hanging baskets on your porch, standing elegantly in pots by your doorway, or adding texture to your garden beds, ferns offer a touch of sophistication and tranquility. However, to truly enjoy their verdant charm, understanding How To Care For Ferns Outside is essential. This guide will provide you with expert tips to ensure your ferns thrive and flourish in your outdoor environment.
Selecting the Perfect Ferns for Your Outdoor Space
Choosing the right type of fern is the first step to successful outdoor fern care. Not all ferns are created equal, and their tolerance to sunlight and varying conditions can differ significantly. Two of the most popular choices for outdoor display are Boston Ferns and Kimberly Queen Ferns, each with unique characteristics that make them suitable for different settings.
Boston Ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniense’) are renowned for their classic, drooping fronds, making them ideal for hanging baskets or elevated planters. Their delicate, weeping habit creates a soft, elegant look. However, Boston Ferns are more sensitive to direct sunlight and prefer consistently moist soil and humid conditions, reminiscent of their native tropical rainforests.
Kimberly Queen Ferns (Nephrolepis obliterata ‘Kimberly Queen’), on the other hand, boast a more upright and structured growth habit. Their fronds are more rigid and erect, lending a formal and polished appearance, perfect for pots flanking entrances or pathways. A significant advantage of Kimberly Queen Ferns is their higher tolerance for sunlight compared to Boston Ferns, making them more adaptable to partially sunny porches or patios.
Consider the specific conditions of your outdoor space – particularly the amount of sunlight it receives – when selecting your ferns. For heavily shaded porches, Boston Ferns are an excellent choice. If your porch receives more sunlight, especially in the afternoon, Kimberly Queen Ferns or even Macho Ferns (Nephrolepis biserrata ‘Macho’), known for their robust size and sun tolerance, might be more suitable. Local garden centers can offer personalized advice based on your specific location and porch conditions.
The Importance of Light for Outdoor Ferns
Light is a crucial factor in fern care. While ferns are often associated with shady environments, they still require adequate light to thrive. The key is to provide bright, indirect light, mimicking the dappled sunlight they receive under a forest canopy.
Direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, can be detrimental to most ferns, causing their delicate fronds to scorch and turn brown. Morning sun, which is gentler, or filtered light through trees or sheer curtains is ideal. Observe your porch or outdoor area throughout the day to understand how sunlight patterns change.
As a general guideline:
- Shade: Boston Ferns excel in shady locations, receiving little to no direct sunlight.
- Partial Shade to Partial Sun: Macho Ferns can tolerate partial shade to partial sun, enjoying some morning or late afternoon sun.
- Partial Sun to Sun: Kimberly Queen Ferns are more sun-tolerant and can handle partial sun, but still benefit from some shade during the hottest hours.
If your porch receives intense afternoon sun, consider using shade cloths or relocating your ferns to a less exposed area, such as a side or back porch. Alternatively, explore other shade-loving plants if ferns are not the best fit for your sunniest spots.
Boston fern hanging on a porch, showcasing its lush green fronds and natural beauty in an outdoor setting.
Watering Your Ferns Outdoors: Achieving the Right Moisture Balance
Proper watering is fundamental to maintaining healthy outdoor ferns. Ferns are moisture-loving plants, reflecting their origins in humid rainforest environments. Consistent and even soil moisture is crucial for their vibrant green color and robust growth. The goal is to keep the soil consistently damp, but not waterlogged.
The frequency of watering will depend on several factors, including the type of pot or basket, the surrounding temperature, humidity levels, and the specific fern variety. Ferns in hanging baskets tend to dry out faster than those in larger pots, especially in windy or sunny locations. Terracotta pots, being porous, also lead to quicker moisture evaporation compared to plastic or glazed containers.
To determine if your fern needs watering, check the soil moisture by gently inserting your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. Water thoroughly until water drains out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, ensuring the entire root ball is moistened. Avoid shallow watering, which only wets the surface and can lead to root problems.
During hotter summer months or in drier climates, you may need to water your ferns daily, or even twice a day for hanging baskets in direct wind and sun. In cooler or more humid conditions, watering may be needed less frequently. Regularly monitor the soil moisture and adjust your watering schedule accordingly. Overwatering, which leads to soggy soil, can be as harmful as underwatering, potentially causing root rot and other fungal diseases. Ensure your pots and baskets have adequate drainage to prevent water from pooling at the bottom.
Fertilizing Outdoor Ferns for Vigorous Growth
Ferns, like all plants, benefit from regular fertilization to support healthy growth, especially during their active growing season in the spring and summer months. Monthly fertilization provides the necessary nutrients to maintain their lush foliage and vibrant green color.
Choose a water-soluble, nitrogen-rich fertilizer specifically formulated for ferns or general-purpose foliage plants. Nitrogen is particularly important for ferns as it promotes healthy frond growth and vibrant green color. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging for proper dilution and application rates. Over-fertilizing can be detrimental, potentially burning the delicate roots and fronds, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution and use fertilizer at the recommended strength or even slightly diluted.
Apply fertilizer monthly during the spring and summer growing season. You can reduce or halt fertilization during the fall and winter months when fern growth naturally slows down. Fertilizing is most effective when combined with regular watering, as the water helps distribute the nutrients throughout the soil and root system.
Overwintering Outdoor Ferns: Protecting from the Cold
Ferns are tropical or subtropical plants and are generally not cold-hardy. They cannot tolerate freezing temperatures and require protection during the winter months in regions with cold climates. If you live in an area with freezing winters, you’ll need to take steps to overwinter your outdoor ferns to ensure their survival.
One common method is to bring your ferns indoors before the first frost. Before moving them inside, prune back the fronds to about 6 inches from the soil level. This reduces moisture loss and prepares the fern for dormancy. Place your ferns in a cool, bright, indoor location, such as a sunroom, unheated garage, or basement with a window. Even in dormancy, ferns still need some light and moisture.
Water sparingly during the winter months, just enough to keep the soil slightly moist and prevent it from completely drying out. Overwatering during dormancy can lead to root rot. The drier air inside heated homes can also be detrimental to ferns. Increase humidity by misting your ferns regularly, placing them on a pebble tray filled with water, or using a humidifier in the room.
In early spring, as temperatures begin to warm and the threat of frost has passed, you can gradually acclimate your ferns back to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them in a sheltered outdoor location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their exposure to sunlight and outdoor temperatures over a week or two before returning them to their permanent outdoor positions.
By following these comprehensive tips, you can confidently care for ferns outside and enjoy their verdant beauty enhancing your porch, patio, or garden throughout the growing season. With the right selection, light, watering, fertilization, and winter protection, your outdoor ferns will thrive and bring a touch of lush, natural elegance to your home.
