Keep Your Ferns Thriving Year-Round: Winter Care Tips & Dividing Techniques

Are you a fan of the lush, vibrant foliage of ferns but find it disheartening when they wither away during the winter months? Fret not, fellow green thumbs! In this post, we will guide you on how to save your beloved ferns, ensuring they survive the winter and come back stronger than ever next summer. Plus, we'll share a bonus tip on dividing large ferns to multiply your plant collection. Let's dive in and keep those ferns flourishing!

Protecting Your Ferns from Frost: Ferns are not hardy plants, and a frost or freeze can be detrimental to their survival. To safeguard them, it's essential to prepare in advance. Start by covering or bringing your ferns indoors on nights when heavy frost or freeze is expected. However, before the cold sets in, pruning is key to successfully overwintering your ferns indoors.

Pruning and Preparing for Indoor Life: As ferns can grow quite large during the summer, pruning is necessary to ensure they fit comfortably indoors. Trim back any large strands of foliage, removing several inches of growth if needed. Washing off your fern with a gentle spray from the garden hose not only cleanses the plant but also removes any potential pests.

Finding the Ideal Overwintering Location: Choose a cool location indoors, such as a basement, garage, or a cool room. Ferns don't require full sun or bright light during winter. Too much light can even burn their foliage. Keep them away from southern-facing windows, opting for ambient light from a garage or basement well window. Remember, less light is better than too much.

Minimal Care for Winter Survival: Ferns don't demand much attention during winter. Avoid fertilizing and only water when the soil has completely dried out, which usually occurs every 5 to 7 days. Don't be alarmed if the fern's appearance becomes paler or if some leaves fall off; it's simply in a hibernation state. Come spring, take your fern back outside, protecting it from spring frosts, and watch it regain its strength and vibrancy.

Bonus Tip: Dividing Large Ferns: If your ferns have outgrown their pots or you want to multiply your plant collection, early autumn is the ideal time for dividing and replanting. Cut all of the foliage off, leaving an inch or two of the base, and divide the fern into thirds or smaller portions. Repot the divisions using regular potting soil mix, and they will regrow over winter, ready to thrive outdoors once again.

By following these simple winter care tips and utilizing the technique of dividing large ferns, you can save your cherished plants and avoid the expense of purchasing new ones each spring. Protecting them from frost, pruning, finding an appropriate indoor location, and providing minimal care will ensure your ferns survive the winter months, ready to flourish in the warm embrace of summer. 

So go ahead, give your ferns the love they deserve, and enjoy their beauty year-round! Happy gardening! - Owens Supply Co.