TheNaturePlanet

For many people who love green plants, ferns have become a popular choice for indoor decoration due to their unique forms and elegant temperaments. However, novice cultivators often wonder: Are ferns easy to cultivate? In fact, as long as you master some basic cultivation techniques, ferns are relatively easy to take care of. The following will introduce several easy-to-cultivate fern varieties to help you easily create a green and lively home environment.
Polypodium aureum 'Blue Star': Polypodium aureum 'Blue Star' is native to the tropical forests of South America and has a relatively strong adaptability to the environment. It prefers a warm and humid environment and is not frost-tolerant. The optimal growth temperature ranges from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius. When watering, keep the soil slightly moist and avoid waterlogging which may cause root rot. Polypodium aureum 'Blue Star' does not have strict requirements for light. Bright scattered light is sufficient, and avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight at noon in summer. During the spring and summer growth seasons, you can apply a balanced instant fertilizer once a month, and no fertilization is needed in winter.
Pteris cretica 'Cotton Candy': Pteris cretica 'Cotton Candy' is much loved for its unique leaf shape and soft texture. It prefers a humid environment, and the soil should be a loose and well-drained substrate. You can use a mixture of leaf mold, peat soil, and perlite to prepare the soil. The suitable growth temperature is from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius. Avoid high or low temperatures that may affect its growth. Regarding light, Pteris cretica 'Cotton Candy' likes bright light but dislikes strong sunlight exposure. The position with scattered light indoors is the most suitable. Watering should be appropriate. Increase the frequency in high-temperature summer and reduce the number of watering times in winter to prevent root diseases. Fertilization can be carried out in spring and summer each year, using diluted liquid fertilizers.
Nephrolepis exaltata: Nephrolepis exaltata is a very popular indoor fern. Its elegant leaves and relatively strong growth ability make it the first choice for home decoration. It likes bright scattered light and avoids direct exposure to strong sunlight. It can accept an appropriate amount of direct sunlight in winter. The temperature should be maintained between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius to ensure a safe winter. Nephrolepis exaltata prefers a high-humidity environment. It is necessary to spray water on the plant and its surrounding environment frequently to keep the humidity at 75% - 80%. The soil should be a mixture of humus, river sand, and garden soil, and the pot should be changed once a year. Watering should be sufficient but avoid being too wet or too dry. The water supply should keep up during the growth peak season. Water 1 - 2 times a day in summer and spray water on the leaf surface to maintain the humidity.
Adiantum capillus-veneris: Adiantum capillus-veneris is named for its slender, creeping stems and leaves and its brownish color, which looks like a girl's beautiful hair. It prefers a loose, breathable, and fertile acidic soil. For home cultivation, you can choose a mixture of leaf mold, garden soil, peat soil, and river sand to prepare the soil. The suitable growth temperature is from 15 to 28 degrees Celsius. The winter temperature should not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius to prevent frost damage. Adiantum capillus-veneris likes a shady and well-ventilated environment, but it still needs a certain amount of light time. It accepts 3 hours of scattered light per day in spring and autumn, and avoids strong sunlight exposure in summer. Watering should be sufficient to keep the soil moist. Water once a day in summer and spray water on the leaf surface to increase the humidity. Fertilization is carried out once every 20 - 30 days during the growth period, and you can use decomposed organic fertilizers or liquid fertilizers.
As long as the correct cultivation methods are mastered, ferns are relatively easy to take care of. Polypodium aureum 'Blue Star', Pteris cretica 'Cotton Candy', Nephrolepis exaltata, and Adiantum capillus-veneris are all easy-to-cultivate fern varieties, suitable for being the first choice of family green plants. By reasonably controlling the temperature, light, humidity, as well as the management of water and fertilizers, you can easily enjoy the beauty and vitality brought by these green plants.