What does an overwatered Boston fern look like?

The first sign that a fern is overwatered is usually yellowing or wilted leaves. One surefire way to determine if it’s time to water a Boston fern is to touch the soil with your fingertip. If the surface of the soil feels slightly dry, it’s time to give the plant a drink.

Why is my Boston fern leaves turning brown and falling off?

Boston Ferns get brown leaves due to underwatering, low relative humidity, too much sun exposure, and temperatures extremes. Other sources of stress can cause brown leaves, such as overfertilization and transplant shock, as well as normal causes such as acclimation or aging foliage.

What is wrong with my Boston fern?

Why is My Boston Fern Turning Brown? Boston fern browning may be caused by poor soil, inadequate drainage, lack of water or humidity, too much light, excess salt, or simply mechanical injury. If your cat tends to chew on the leaves, the tips will turn brown and die.

How do you rejuvenate a Boston fern?

Trim the drooping fronds back to about 2 inches long and leave any healthy upright fronds in the center of the plant intact. If all fronds are drying and dying, trim them all to 2 inches. Clean out the dead leaves and check the soil for offsets — baby ferns — which can be separated and planted in their own pots.

How often should a Boston fern be watered?

every 2 to 3 days
Boston ferns are native to the humid jungles of tropical Africa and South America. Their growing medium must be kept consistently damp. During the growing season, water every 2 to 3 days with distilled, filtered, or rainwater when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

How do you save a dying Boston fern?

How do you revive a dying Boston fern?

As long as there are at least a few healthy green leaves on your fern (even one), there is a chance to bring them back. Prune all dead foliage. Once the fronds have died off, they won’t miraculously spring back to life. You can trim fronds that are only partially dried.

How do you nurse a fern back to health?

How to Revive a Fern Losing Leaves

1. Increase the humidity to 50% with a humidifier.
2. Place your fern near other potted plants and mist every day.
3. Water the fern as often as required so that the soil is consistently and evenly moist.
4. Keep the temperature between 65℉ and 75℉ and slightly cooler at night to revive your fern.

What’s wrong with my ferns?

If you’re seeing brown leaves all over, your fern may not be getting enough moisture. They like their soil to be lightly moist, but not soggy, so check them regularly and water them if the soil ever feels dry. Use the finger dip test: if you put a finger in and it comes out dry, they need a drink.

What’s wrong with my fern?

The reason indoor fern leaves turn brown is because of low humidity, high temperatures or the soil is too dry. Ferns prefer a humidity of at least 40%, consistently moist soil and temperatures of 65°F to 75°F. If the temperature is too high or the air and soil is too dry, fern leaves turn brown, dry and crispy.

Why is my Boston fern drying out?

Lack of watering – Boston ferns need water and plenty of it. Although they can tolerate drier conditions than other ferns, they still should be watered every time the surface soil just starts to dry.

How do you save a sick fern?

To revive dying ferns, emulate the fern’s natural environment with higher levels of humidity, shade, and water the fern as often as required to ensure the soil is consistently moist. Cut back any brown, yellow or dying leaves to help stimulate new growth and revive the fern.

Why are the tips of my Boston fern turning brown?

Answer. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) growing indoors may look a bit spare in winter or early spring. Brown tipping of the fronds (leaves) is most likely a result of low humidity and perhaps drying out a little too much between winter waterings. The indoor environment may also be a little too drafty or cold.

How do you rejuvenate Boston ferns?

In hot dry seasons, a daily misting with a light spritz of water should keep your fern green and bouncy. Fertilize the plant with fish emulsion or houseplant fertilizer every six to eight weeks on average–a little more in summer and less in winter. If you see any dead fronds or leaves, clip them off at the base.

How can I bring my fern back to life?

Are Boston ferns hard to look after?

With delicate compound leaves and long, lance-shaped fronds that cascade delicately down the sides of its container, the Boston Fern is a perfect choice to bring a touch of the tropics indoors. While not difficult to look after, it does need the right conditions to thrive.

What’s Killing my Boston ferns?

For that reason, they can sometimes suffer from common indoor insect infestations. Outdoor ferns can also be plagued by insects. These insect pests can damage or even kill a Boston fern if the infestation is severe enough. Mealybugs appear as white, fuzzy masses of insects that often gather where the leaf meets the stem of the frond.

Why is my Boston fern drooping?

Your Boston Fern is drooping, despite the soil being wet. The fronds are turning yellow, particularly the lower fronds first. The tips of the fronds are turning brown, despite plenty of water and humidity. It takes a long time for the soil to dry out after watering. You may detect an offensive smell from the soil.