Keeping a fern as a houseplant in your home is no longer uncommon these days. But without time and effort, this plant won't stay growing and happy for years. It should be repotted regularly.
When and how should you repot a fern?
Repotting ferns should be done in spring (February to May), old soil should be removed from the plant and divided. Use shallow bowls or wide pots with drainage and potting soil. The frequency of repotting depends on the fern species and growth.
Spring – the best time for repotting
As with most other plants, the best time to repot the fern is in the spring after overwintering (between February and March). He should have moved from his old home to a new home by May at the latest.
You should not repot your fern later. If it is in the process of sprouting its new fronds and therefore outside of its resting period, it is reluctant to change location. It can take damage and get brown fronds.
How often should you repot?
The frequency of repotting depends on the type of fern and its respective growth rate. Most young ferns need to be repotted every 1 to 2 years. Older ferns need to be repotted every 3 to 4 years. Less frequently - usually every 4 to 6 years - the leisurely growing cycads need to be repotted.
Divide and remove old ballast before repotting
Before repotting, you have the chance to free your fern from old ballast such as dead roots and brown fronds. At the same time, the time has come to share. The following fern species can be easily divided:
- maidenhair fern
- Sickle Fern
- Button Fern
- Fringe Fern
How to repot correctly
Shallow bowls as well as half-height and wide pots are best suited as containers, as ferns are usually shallow-rooted. Hanging baskets are also ideal for these plants. The location for the container should be bright, partially shaded to shady, warm, humid and protected from drafts (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, stairwell).
How to proceed:
- Provide suitable substrate e.g. B. Potting soil (€13.00 at Amazon)
- Create drainage layer
- fill new pot about 1/3 full with new substrate
- Lifting fern out of old pot
- shake off old earth gently
- Put the fern in a new pot and cover with soil
- press and pour
Tips & Tricks
Only repot if the roots completely fill the old pot and are sticking out from the bottom!
