This is our first year with an outdoor fern, we just moved it inside a few weeks ago. We live in Ontario, Canada where it gets pretty cold and dry. Is it honestly possible/worth trying to keep this thing alive all winter? It’s already not looking great, and I’m admittedly not much of a green thumb…My biggest accomplishment is keeping a snake plant alive at this point lol.
Thoughts and advice welcome!
by notreallyhere_24
13 Comments
If you have the space near a window go for it. A friend have been doing this for years and hers are huge.
Yes tgey grow beautifully indoors. Don’t give it direct sunlight and keep it watered well. They also love being misted. If you have a window in your bathroom it would be happy in there or close to the kitchen sink.
First things first, if it’s been outside all summer.Have you pulled out your brightest flashlight and examined?Both the leaves and the soil for any bugaboos that might be looking for free, heated housing???
If it looks good to go after that, I would still keep it far away from any other plants. But certainly, you have nothing to lose, other than some cleaning up, for trying to keep it going.
Yes, I do this every year and have some ive always kept inside that thrive. You need a sunny window but I say 💯 keep. I adore ferns. One trick I do with mine is put moss at base of plant. It helps maintain humidity. Spraying w water bottle is also good
Sure worth a try. They’re so beautiful.
I’m keeping 4 this winter and they are thriving inside 😍
Yes. I have a fern that I’ve had for 10 yrs. Outside in the summer. I bring it in for winter.
I use grow lights or natural light. Also humidity helps too. Sitting a humidifier near it helps. Hanging in bathroom the fern can take advantage of humidity post shower.
Add some fern food and water regularly.
I’ve had a Boston fern for several years, she thrives outside during late spring to early fall, then lives inside. After a few weeks inside, she starts getting yellow leaves and dying stems. It’s time for her autumn cut. I trim away all bent stems and those missing some leaves.
She lives with indirect sunlight, gets watered occasionally, and eventually, when the days get warmer, she gets increasing hours outdoors in the shade. She’s given me an offspring as well.
I love watching her through the seasons. Maybe you’ll enjoy it as well. 🍃
https://preview.redd.it/c2zfkwi1mx0g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6d28df4dc910befa4fa4d1fb6a0da2719e70cdd
I just moved this little one inside
If you know how to maintain the goddamn thing, I also live in Ontario and I have killed 2 ferns, I have had 1 that has survived the year with major loss of leaves through the winter season, and I have 2 more smaller ferns that are doing well.
It’s a hell of a great plant, but it gets messy and it’s a sensitive bitch at times. But I live alone (albeit in the basement of my parents house) and go to school full-time. I may have been neglectful.
Of course it is -it’s trying hard to live
I rescued two from the trash and put them in my office. They do great if they get regularly watered. Ferns often love water
Boston fern needs water, high humidity, heat, and a shady location. If these conditions are met in your garden, you can leave it outside if you don’t bring it in during the winter. Good luck.