Christmas Fern
Christmas fern
In late fall and winter, the Christmas fern's fronds lie flat on the ground, allowing it to duck out of winter's worst weather. Snow is an excellent insulator, and the temperature is rarely much below freezing under a blanket of just a few inches.
Do Christmas ferns spread?
Christmas fern is a clump-forming fern, meaning it stays put and gradually gets a little bit wider, but it doesn't spread to form dense, connected colonies the way some ferns do.
Why is it called a Christmas fern?
The Christmas fern earned its name because, as one of the few native ferns that is evergreen, it is available as a Christmas decoration; in addition, one can imagine that each of its leaf segments looks like a traditional Christmas stocking or even Santa's boot (see photo).
How tall do Christmas ferns get?
Plant Characteristics Size Notes: Normally 1.5 to 2 feet, occasionally 3 feet tall.
How long do Christmas ferns live?
How long can a Christmas fern live? Choose your spot wisely. With the right care and conditions, you could enjoy these long-lived plants in your garden for as much as 15 years or more.
Can I leave my fern outside in the winter?
Ferns plants in the ground can be left as is the entire winter. The fronds will protect the plant's center crown, where new growth will emerge in the spring. Ferns are a hardy perennial plant that will grow back each year. Many gardeners bring potted ferns indoors to continue growing during the cold weather season.
Should I cut back Christmas ferns?
Although you do not have to prune Christmas ferns, you should remove fronds that have been damaged or have turned brown before new ones unfurl.
Does Christmas fern stay green all year?
Christmas ferns (Polystichum acrostichoides) are evergreen fern plants and members of the Dryopteridaceae (or wood fern) plant family. They derive their common name from their durability in cold climates. Unlike deciduous plant types, they retain their foliage through the Christmas season.
Should ferns be cut back for winter?
Pruning evergreen ferns To avoid a mish-mash mess, cut all of the fronds from your fern to the ground late each winter or early each spring. Once all of the fronds are cut down, each plant should look like a tiny, curled fist on the ground.
How do you keep a Christmas fern alive?
They're not as low maintenance when you bring them inside, but that's true of all plants. Your Christmas fern will be happiest in front of a window that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant it in a hanging basket for the best results. Mist its fronds once a week with a spray bottle to increase humidity.
Is a Christmas fern poisonous?
The ASPCA states that Christmas fern is not toxic to dogs, cats, or horses. It's not toxic to humans, either, but it's not considered edible. Light: Part to full shade. The plant can tolerate dappled sunlight but not full sun; its fronds will bleach and growth will be stunted.
Can you divide Christmas fern?
It's best to divide outdoor plants just after the first frost in fall, and indoor or outdoor plants can also be divided prior to the appearance of new growth in spring, when they are dormant. A day or so before dividing Christmas ferns out in the landscape, deeply irrigate the soil around your to-be-divided specimen.
Do ferns like big or small pots?
A container too big or too small can affect the ability to maintain the proper soil moisture that this plant needs. Choose a container that is at least 6 inches deep. It is best to leave 1-2 inches around the outside edge of the container so the plant has space to grow.
Do ferns like deep or shallow pots?
Most ferns develop shallow root systems, so shallow pots or pans are best. To maintain the proper balance of root systems and space, some ferns, depending on growth rate, need repotting several times a year.
Are Christmas ferns Hardy?
Christmas Fern are attractive, hardy ferns that are well adapted to many growing conditions. Dry or moist soils are tolerable as long as there is no standing water. Christmas Fern are popular choices for low-growing erosion control as they are able to tolerate drought and shallow soils.
Can you plant Christmas ferns in the fall?
Planting ferns in the spring is most common, but they can be planted at any time during the growing season, and that includes fall planting. If planted in spring, make sure to keep them consistently moist, but not over-watered, during their first season.
Can Christmas ferns be grown indoors?
Christmas ferns can be grown indoors, in front of a window with morning sun and afternoon shade. The soil should be kept evenly moist but not over saturated, and regular misting will help increase humidity.
Do ferns grow well in pots?
You can also plant ferns in large containers, either singly or with other shade-loving plants. It's simple and takes little time – see our guide to planting up containers. Ideally use a mix of three parts peat-free multipurpose compost, one part John Innes No. 3, and one part horticultural grit by volume.
When should you bring ferns inside?
Before the first frost of the fall is the perfect time to bring potted ferns indoors for the winter.
How cold is too cold for ferns?
Tolerating Cold Weather If necessary, keep them in a dark basement or garage in the winter where they'll go dormant, but be aware that temperatures below 55F puts them to sleep forever.
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