A tree fern looks great in the apartment! Its woody trunk, its large and tropical-looking fronds and its crown diameter of up to 4 m make other houseplants look old. But what should you pay attention to when growing pots in the room?
How do you care for a tree fern as a houseplant?
In order to successfully care for a tree fern as a houseplant, it needs a semi-shady to shady location, a humus-rich and permeable substrate and moderate moisture without waterlogging. Fertilize once a month and spray the trunk with water regularly.
Where can I find a suitable place in the apartment?
For a tree fern, you should choose a partially shaded to shady place in the apartment. Tree ferns cannot cope well with direct sunlight, especially at midday. They also don't like drafts. A location in the heated living room is not very suitable. The air there is too dry, which harms the moisture-loving tree ferns. Among other things, it makes them vulnerable to pests.
The right substrate
But it's not just a shady place that is crucial when dealing with the tree fern. There should be a suitable substrate in the pot or bucket. A mixture of potting soil, peat, sand and fine gravel is ideal. In general, the following features are significant:
- humus-rich
- nutrient-rich
- easy
- permeable
- slightly sour
- calcareous
Watering and fertilizing – the crucial care components
Casting plays a prominent role. The soil should be kept moderately moist. But don't water too enthusiastically! Waterlogging should not prevail. In addition to regular watering, misting the trunk using a hand sprayer (€7.00 on Amazon) is recommended.
When fertilizing, less is more. The tree fern has low nutrient requirements. Add the fertilizer to the irrigation water. It is sufficient to fertilize with liquid fertilizer at half the concentration once a month between April and September.
Pests stay away with the right care
If watering and fertilizing are carried out correctly, the tree fern is robust. He rarely suffers from illnesses. But pests occur when the air is too dry and the tree fern is weakened as a result. This can easily happen in winter when the apartment is heated. Spider mites and various lice in particular do not like to stay away from tree ferns.
Tips & Tricks
The tree fern can be placed outside on the shady balcony in summer. But in winter he should stay in the apartment. It is poorly hardy and is best overwintered in a bright but cool place.