Don’T Be Afraid Of Maidenhair Ferns! Tips For Growing These Beautiful Indoor Plants
There are 3 basic things you need to know about Maindenhair Fern care. If you are patient and follow the tips in this video you too can grow a big beautiful plant!
1. Manage water by keeping your plant moist.
2. Manage humidity at 50% or more by following these tips. Temps in the 70s.
3. Manage light--these indoor plants prefer dappled shade. Sunlight will burn their tender fronds!
Thank you all so much for subscribing and for watching these videos!! And thank you so much for shopping Planterina.com!
Enter your email at planterina.com for up-to-the-minute info on new indoor plant arrivals, incredible free plants with purchase, and exclusive discount codes! https://planterina.com/pages/landing-g...
Welcome, how are you guys, my name is amanda from plant arena, and i want to thank you guys for subscribing and want to also thank you for joining our email list on plantarina.com, where we announce cool new plants that we are shipping so just wanted to. Thank you for that and uh. I want to talk about this. I want to talk about this big giant maiden, hair fern. I want to talk about how you can grow it, big and - and i also want to tell you how to take care of it, because it's not easy, sometimes and there's really three basic things that you need to know to take care of it. That was that that was my. That was my hand. I swear that was my hand, so there's three basic things you need to know, and the first thing is all about water. These guys don't like to dry out. They are actually quite hearty ferns, but they have very tender. Beautiful fronds they're, like these little fan, shaped beautiful super elegant. Looking that are hanging on these black wire stems thin black wire stems, and i i can't resist this plant, that's why it's here and i've killed a bunch and i'm gon na try it again and i'm gon na listen to my own advice. So i'm going to keep the soil moist, that's the first! That'S the first thing you have to do: they hate drying out. They grow in like little nooks and crannies and rocks and crevices where water will be kind of retained. We need to simulate that here in our houses we need to have enough water, so they never dry out, but also they don't want to sit in standing water because they don't like that either and you'll know when your plant is suffering, because the leaves will start To turn brown and fall off and i'll show it to you a little closer in a second or right now i'll. Do it right now here? So that's number one number two: they like a lot of humidity. They really do i'd, say 50 and more the more. The better - and that is another thing that they require - this is a smaller version. This was outside, i left it outside all night and it was probably like 46 degrees. They don't like that. They usually like to be in 70 to 70 degrees, plus this survived. Thank you thanks for giving me a second chance, so anyway increase your humidity. If you can, you can put them on a tray filled with pebbles and water. You can get a humidifier. You can put them outdoors if you have high humidity. They like that and group them with other plants to increase the humidity, but keep your eye on that. Okay, you'll see the leaves start turning around, let's say rejecting, but they're not rejecting they're just dying, and the third thing is light they're, they're, normally growing outside in nature in dappled shade. So if you can replicate that indoors, like give it bright, indirect light throughout the day, but not direct sunlight, it'll burn their poor little tender leaves they're a little frond, so be gentle with them. Keep them away from really harsh windows or get a lot of southern light or western light, and just a lot of bright, indirect light and they'll grow nice and full. They take about three years to grow into like a full-size plant like this. From this to this, and so be patient they're, not heavy feeders, they do like to be fertilized, but fertilize them, maybe once every three weeks with like a quarter strength of complete liquid fertilizer. But if you fertilize them too much their leaves are going to respond in a bad bad way made in hair you're a teflon but you're a pretty one, and i think that's really it again just keep that the temperature in the 70s. You could probably go in the 60s, but they might not like it and not for a prolonged period of time. Sorry about that that wasn't my bad, my bad, and what else about these guys divide. You can propagate them by division, but you can't propagate them by leaf cuttings, it's not going to work. I'Ve tried it. I'Ve tried everything and people tell me, i can't do it, i try it and it doesn't work. So i'm just take my word for it. So when you divide them when they're really growing outside of their pot, which they they're pretty slow growers, so you're not gon na, have to do it too frequently, but when you do cut it and divide it, this one actually is two is three plants: it's not Ready to be divided yet i'm gon na wait till it really busts out i like to keep them planted in ceramic pots like this or in in their in their grow pots. The plastic nursery grow pots like this, because it helps keep the moisture in. So please don't put them in terracotta pots or concrete pots, because you're just never going to win that battle of watering. It'S never going to happen. I think really, that's it that covers it. There are elegant elegant plants that need extra care than your other house plants, but it's i find it's well worth the effort just to sit next to this, just makes me feel primal makes me want to run through the jungle, but um, maybe i'll do that. I don't have a jungle here, i'll just run through the grass in the woods, except i'm afraid of the ticks. Now too many ticks, so that's it they're gorgeous. I hope you guys can keep them healthy and thriving and alive. That'S the goal and big and healthy. So if i'm going to okay, i'm done i just i'm rambling. I hate when i ramble, but thank you guys. I really appreciate it. I hope you again just take care of these plants, okay, because they really need your help. Sorry, sorry,
Comments
Saida H: I showed this to my maidenhair to give her some inspiration
Erika Furutani: Something I've noticed with my maidenhair fern that I've had for almost 5 years is that it doesn't like to be turned. They say to turn your houseplants to keep them growing evenly, but when I did that to my maidenhair, the stems got all wonky and tangled, so I just keep it facing the same way and it looks beautiful and full. PS. I've killed it like 5 times and it keeps coming back. Don't throw it away unless you're really sure that its dead.
Ľubomír Volnár: I actually prefer to keep them (as basically all of my ferns) in terracotta pots with a deeper saucer and just maintain some 1+ cm or 1/2'' water level there (depending on the size of the pot), the terracotta pot will spread the water evenly throughout the substrate and the fern is happy. If you keep them in plastic nursery pots inside a ceramic pot, the first issue is you can't see the water level so you can easily drown the roots and kill the plant, the second issue is your plastic pot doesn't give a **** about water retention nor gas exchange which causes the bottom part of the substrate to rot and the top part to dry out... Exactly what a maidenhair doesn't like. If you manage to keep them that way, good for you and GL, I just find the terracotta wayyyy easier. Also don't cry if your maidenhair looks dead, just repot it as it is supposed to be and give it some time, it can take up to 3-4 months for some species to sprout again. If someone red my whole ramble, big up for you! ...lol
Dafydd Rhobert: My maidenhair ferns were handed down from my mother and must be about 20 years old. She told me to keep them standing in water and they grow well. I feed them every time I top up their water during the growing season and during the winter their room temperature can be 15C on many occasions without any problems.
Andrea Orozco: I FINALLY GOT THE HANG OF THIS PLANT. I mixed moss into my chunky soil and it worked!!!! You said no terracotta, but that worked for me because it tells me when to water. I hate sticking my finger in soil. Can you guys pray for it because I don't want it to be the 3rd.
bhyqs: I keep my ferns in self-watering pot and I never have to worry about the fern drying out :)
Amy: I’ve had my two for about ten years and I love them. Such a beautiful species.
Ashley Burroughs: Would love a video or series of videos for best plants based on your weather/growing zone. Ferns for me are actually very easy since I’m pacific north west and they just grow outside naturally. But there’s a ton of other plants that give me a lot of trouble since it’s so humid/cool here.
elektra thunderwolf: These are so soft to the touch, they're like the chinchilla of plants
Aggie Hasselfield: I keep mine in a terrarium or it would never have enough humidity. It’s doing great
Metal Jane: Thank you Amanda!! I got mine that big finally, took a while to get the hang of it bc I really couldn’t believe it could need that much water!! I literally watered it 3 or 4 times a week lmao
Geffs Garden: I have one withering away and crusting up on a shelf, it's in a constant cycle of dying and living and has been like that for a few years now. I needed this video, ty!
Amy Missly: Also I love maidenhair! I have a little one. She’s made it with me since October 2020 and has grown!
Phillip Gaines: PLANTERINA I have recommended your channel to everyone in my plant-family. Thank you Amanda, for sharing your knowledge & your beautiful plants with us!
J: I created a wicking system, so I don't have to water everyday! No humidifier this winter too and it's doing great :)
Janet Christian: You are amazing, and so are your plants. I love the way your mind wonders, it is part of what makes you unique. I look forward to listening to you and how your mind travels. Please don't stop. Love your videos. My grandson recently gave me a maidenhair. I'm doing everything to keep it healthy. So far it's good.
Beth-el Wilson: These grow wild here in Western WA state. They grow on the cliffs of the river, and go completely dormant and die back every winter. This video reminds me, I’m going to go look for them, since it’s Spring
Aya.Sarah.: Love your videos, I've had one in a terracotta pot outside for years and it's healthy.
Wild-Herness Aerialist: Thank you, I love your videos! I rafted the Grand Canyon a couple of times & found these ferns growing in the slot canyons near the waterfalls & springs coming out of the rocks!! I was gone for a month so the chlorine in the tap water our house sitter used really did a number on it. I thought my fern was a gonner. I've been using Kangen water on it & it really responded well to the higher ph water. Which makes sense, because I tested the "living water" in the slot canyons & found it to have a higher natural ph. Sooo grateful for your videos as I become a plant nerd
TheWeirdPlantGuy: Amanda, you are a plant force to be reckoned with ~ but please talk about the soil mix to use with these plants. Should we use a Peat based soil or can we use Coir? Should we add Perlite and if so what level is too much? I love these plants, but it is one of the hardest for me to keep alive~ and I am no Rookie. Any thoughts here would be appreciated.
Dr. Cathey Smith: Went away for 3 days, and my maidenhair was a shriveled mess, though still green. I'm hoping I can coax it back to life. Thanks for the perfect timing on this!
Francine H.: I never knew they got that big! So, so pretty!! I love them
Jordan Shears: Hey Amanda. You mentioned toward the end of the video to never plant them in terracotta pots. I’ve just seen a story on tiktok about a woman who has had a massive maidenhair in a terracotta pot with no drainage hole for 30 years. The secret was to submerge the lower half of the terracotta pot into water in a cover pot and never water the maiden hair directly, instead letting the water wick through the terracotta I have no idea if it was a hoax or not but it was the biggest one I’ve ever seen. Would love to see you do a video attempting that sort of setup!
Jen: Perfect timing! I just picked one up. Fingers crossed I can keep her alive!!! Thanks for the info!
Ben C.: One of my favorite plants!!!! That I have a hard time with. Thank you for this video!
A. Madrigal: Just saw these at a store today. Very nice! Question,”Can these be grown outdoors in the shade?” In the ground not in a pot.
Morgan C: I have to say, your videos are so awesome to put in the background while I write school papers! I'm learning about plants from you while learning my school work
Infinite Relating: I haven’t been successful with ANY ferns, even though I run a humidifier 24/7! But I LOVE this one (& rabbits foot ferns) so I’m gonna try the dish with water next time.
AEmamdee1757: I live in the West Indies and all the leaves dropped off I didn't want to lose it, I put it where it will get the morning sun and kept watering it,now it's growing better than before. One of my best plants.
Josiah Chrebtow: Gahhhhh! So glad I found this channel. Bringing all my sick plants back to life!
Matiss O`Niadh: Thank you for the video. Maiden Hair Fern is my all time favorite plant. Funny enough, I think the best way of growing them is by planting them in terracotta pots. They really thrive in them.
Vin Soriano: I have mine in a self watering system with synthetic propelene fiber wicks above a container of water. Don’t use natural cotton wicks as they will disintegrate and rot quickly. You can also put a tray below the plant and bottom water daily.
J Saviour: Wow I had no idea they could get that voluptuous mine has almost died so many times, I am inspired to try again now
Aida F.: OMYLORD Amanda, your Maidenhair is GORGEOUS!! I'm getting ready to repot mine and so happy I found your video!!
Drea: This video is right on time! I have this plant and cannot figure it out for the life of me. Thank you!
Maya Lila Di Vento: Maidenhair ferns are my FAVORITE!!!!! Mine actually don't mind a few hours of direct west-facing sunlight - as long as I water them EVERY DAY. And they hate central heating. Definitely need the humidity. Make sure a vent's not blowing dry air on them!
Joseph Gamez: Great video! I have one and it starts to lose leaves, the weather of my city(LA) is quite hot, can having a humidifier near it help?
Regen-James Gregg: Plant Witch! Maidenhair Ferns are an enigma. Teach me your secrets
Yumi: Thanks for the video, I have a maidenhair and I almost killed it, but I finally got the hang of it after a few months and now its constantly sending out new growth. So I've learned that they are very forgiving. Nowadays though, I hoping if someone in the comment section would know how to fix this, but the center of some of my leaves are turning a dirty looking brown, not like spores, but more grainy and dead looking, however the rest of the fern looks fine and green.
McKay Musick: I had no idea how particular they are! I live in Washington and there are literally thousands of these in the forest down the road
Enchanted Plant Queen: I feel like once you figure out how to keep miss Maidenhair alive, you've reached plant-ninja status. I'm not there yet - i've killed about 3. Man this is a temperamental plant! I'm not giving up though- thanks for the tips.
jo massey: I think they're underrated. So majestic and delicate. BTW, they also don't like too much fertilizer. Or being moved from place to place.
Barbara Justice: That is the most gorgeous maidenhair I have ever seen in my life it looks like it’s on steroids lol I love them but can’t get the hang of it for some reason thank you so much for sharing
NWP: Me crying in the corner cuz I killed my maidenhair fern faster than you can say maidenhair fern. Anyway all the murders aside I see new sprouts on the remains of my plant. So keeping my fingers crossed. The timing of this video is anyway impeccable. ❤️
sazure2: Mine has grown so huge (in the bathroom with indirect light - no heater in there and often gets very cold but mine just thrives. I have plastic bubble wrap on all of my windows anyway to cut draft/heat) I am not sure where I can move it to (not my own place) or I would build a ledge. I used to raise ferns from spores when I had huge 100 - 200 terrariums - but that was long ago. (water from the bottom up! In the tray. This allows the root system to grow down NOT up towards the top.) ( I spritz on occasion - just to feel like I am doing something lol. Pretty self sustained and a happy fern) BTW I apprecaite the post but most on this thread are adults (talks to one like a child, lol)
Josh Nagen Murugiah: One of the things that I love your videos is your pots. They so nice to look at.
umebocchi studio: i got my first maidenhair fern a week ago. i’ve mist her twice a day and was paranoid that she’s not going to survive. today, she started showing signs of shrivelling. she was placed by the window with the blinds mostly down. but i think she didn’t like it anyway. i placed her in the bathroom now and hope to goodness she revives back! but seeing comments on how many times one has killed maidenhair ferns kiiiiiinda gives me hope. i’ll keep trying my best! ✨
Maggie Capes: I’m so terrified of maidenhair ferns i see right through these good vibes
Karen Wilson: Mine lives in my deck in a terracotta pot. It’s at least 12, maybe 15 years old. It dies back in August and by May it’s a big beautiful plant again. I’m thinking of moving it out of a pot and into my shade garden.
SoulShine Sessions: Thanks for the tips.... I brought (4) for $1 @ Lowes flower discount rack. They're doing well. I mist often and keep outdoors on my patio in low light.
Jason: Here in the UK the cold weather has been consistent this year and this means central heating on a lot, causing a dry atmosphere that's killing off my house plants. Have you any tips for this.
Vicfric: Wow, karma! Something inspired you to make this video just for me! :-/ I just bought one of these a month ago. I couldn’t resist! I figured I would kill it but so far so good. It’s in my bathroom with tons of light and humidity. I adore it Thanks for this oh so timely video
Taravao: Great advice on reducing the strength of the fertilizer. I have killed a few Maidenhair Ferns by fertilizing at full strength.
musicalmarion: And don't forget you can chop dead stalks down and start with the rootball again, don't throw it out!
Holz and Our Tribe: Would a maiden hair fern do well in a self watering planter or leca?
Kaye Elle: I keep mine sitting in a saucer of water and never water from above. It is thriving
Annie: I wonder if some extra vermiculite in the potting mix would help with keeping the soil moist
Annie Fourie: Thanks lady, I'm in the UK and mine is in my bathroom with lots of indirect afternoon sunlight...loves it...I do spray it with water often though...is that okay? So far happy
Jepardy Goat Winner: Although this is one of my favorite ferns I have never been successful growing them. Thank you for showing me how to give them what they need. Now I will try again.
Sara J: Could you please do a video on pest-resistant houseplants? If such things exist? Just lost a bunch of plants from an infestation now that the pests are super active
Melan8: Still trying with the remains of my almost dead maidenhair fern. I cut it back and it’s coming back! Thanks for the video.
olivia lee: Cries cuz ive killed 4 maidenhairs in like 5 months but i will not stop buying them cuz theyre so pretty
Marti Erickson: On my 2nd one - first one croaked but learning as I go and it is doing fine.
youejtube: @Planterina Thanks Amanda, love your videos - I'm just about keeping my 10-year-old maidens alive having resurrected them a few times over the years, so they're both still rather sparse. However, whilst watching this video I became a bit concerned about the big plant behind you, on the left of the screen - she looks thirsty!! Don't know her name but she looks a bit like a giant Peace Lily - a THIRSTY giant Peace Lily, all floppy and crying for help! Just sayin'... Is she ok? Did you water her??
Coralee Rooney: I live in Canberra Australia...planted mine in a dappled light location. Winter temps down to zero and minus sometimes and not even a damaged leaf. They look delicate but hardy in the outdoors in a moist shady spot. Go figure.
Carole Braswell: Maidenhair ferns have always been my biggest challenge!
Emily Benn: Would these do well in a closed terrarium?
Matt Lloyd: It's easy to say dont be scared but when the one in my kitchen gave my 6 month old a beer, so they were banished from the castle. So today using great caution I just stick to the ones that grow outdoors!
Victor Rook: This fern is so beautiful. My favorite.
Luisa T: Did she mention how and when to prune it ? I want a full bush and mine has a few lose leaves growing out
iddybiddyladybug Leeza: I love this fern but unfortunately I have failed this plant every time
Michèle Cossette: A self watering pot would be great for ferns..
Divine* Feminine: omg my favorite fern!!! I can't keep any ferns tho and have tried for so many years--it's the lack of humidity : ( I can't keep any plants in my bedroom either because I always have to have my fan on! thank you for this info :)
Ms.Vicki Jay: I love this fern so beautiful but i can't find it at the store/nursery
Barbara Weaver: As usual, a wondrous source of information -- thank you! Can I just add --- from my own experience, 'starter' ferns/plugs simply do not establish, & don't root-out, so don't waste your time; if I had £1 for every time I hear 'I just can't keep it going'......'.... I've thrown in the towel , & planning to try some 'big boys' -- Kangaroo Fern, & Rabbit's Paw; It would help if I didn't keep picturing The Fern House in the original 'Brideshead Revisited' -- that row upon row of ferns in the cool & dim conservatory.......the stuff of dreams, no doubt tended by a full-time gardener! Castle Howard was the location, & its probably as beautiful now!
Mhea: one of my wishlist to have that ferns... thanks for this video i hope i can have one soooonest
MS DRAGONFIRE: I had mine in indirect light where it gets no direct sun about 2 meters away from a north West facing window and keep misting it 2x per day to keep the humidity up. Kept the soil moist and still it doesn't seem to like it and it's tips are going brown. They just don't like me. Yet my asparagus fern that is right next to is is thriving.
RayleneCreates: where do you purchase your plants? I'm hoping to find a good source of Spanish moss and Camellia Sinsesis
Denise Foster: i just bought this and then my friend told me they’re difficult so now i’m doing research
The Fifth Eliot: omg, I had a gorgeous baby one that was super dense with tiny lil fronds in a clear self watering pot to see when it needed water. algae grew on the string and clogged it up and it half died! ugh! *dramatic collapse* lol
Gigglegore: I got super lucky and had one grow from some moss I'd put in my terrarium. It is massive and I don't need to do much other than maybe trim it to keep it happy in there.
HEALING HONIES: Needed this
Danielle Tobusto: Beautiful! And I can't believe I'm seeing this FIRST! Love your videos. Love my planterina plants!
Kaneki: I bought one a few weeks ago and I’m down to like 3 stems. I hate the soil nursery’s & Home Depot uses. They’re always over watered or weird spongy soil. I kept the soil moist and the leaves still kept getting crispy.
Stephanie Owens: Me: I don’t like those ferns Also Me: I love Amanda and every video YAY!!
Kara: My favorite plant but I’ve basically had a Holocaust of maidenhair ferns over the past decade
Cairo Salmon: Oh my! Is the maidenhair real? It is so luscious. I repotted mine for the first time and she is not content with me lol
Pearl Anderson: Excellent information. It helped me a lot. What formula of food do you recommend? I also need info on birds nest ferns. Thanks!!
malindarayallen: You are giving me the cottage to try...
Leslie Wood: I had a few plants in my plant room with mites so i treated them all with a spray of tea tree oil soap & peppermint soap, 1% hydrogen peroxide, alcohol & water to get rid any bugs 7/or mites eating them. All of the plants seem to be doing very well after but, My beautiful maiden hairs don’t…the leaves are shriveling & turning a darker green! Have i harmed them???
Jes Abella: Does that mean i can attach that on a driftwood at the top of my fish tank?
Mega MindyLou: Ok, I’ll give them another chance, I’ve killed so many. What type of soil is best? I’m thinking about growing the next one in the top of my fish tank. ♀️
Damien & Erica Preston: Fun fact: maidenhair ferns are actually native to my home country Australia. Like most Australian plants and trees, they must get burnt by fire which gives them more new growth, leading to the plant being more bushy.
Amy Missly: I can’t find the email list on the website! I love all of your videos!!!
gussiebee thad's mom: How about a video on gardenias? That’s another plant that requires high humidity or else the buds just drop off.
ella: hi i kept forgetting to water mine and its in some plastic pot that has a hole at the bottom, and then inside of a peanut butter tub with no hole but the water stays there and its moist 24/7 and growing away mad it doesnt mind at all. went from dead asf cause i kept frogetting to water it all the time to just vibing immaculately for the forseeable forever. highly reccommend putting the pot into a bigger pot and letting it sit in the water. go ferns
Hella Green: Awesome video. Fingers crossed! I just got my first little maidenhair today... along with my second fiddle leaf fig.. hahaaaaaa... we'll see.
gino.mp4: girl ur so funny, i died when you started saying "that was my hand" ✋. love the channel
Oish D: They're the drama queens!! I had the giant maiden hair fern and i forgot to water it for ONE day and it passed out
Jeremy C Barnhart: Anyone: I have seen beautiful maidenhairs and asparagus ferns grown on pieces of wood......and don't have a clue how!? Does anyone know?! I have an amazing base I've done and it's a great looking piece I'd like to have a few ferns on... Can someone help explain? My ferns are small and potted...so HOW are people 'planting' ferns onto wood?!?