Family: Aspleniaceae
Common Name: Silver Lady Fern, Lucky Lady Fern
Botanical Name: Blechnum gibbum
If fabulous fronds are a must, then look no further! Symmetrical leaflets feature a slight ripple and emerge from a central stem to give the Silver Lady Fern a distinctive architectural look. The fronds of the Blechnum gibbum grow in a rosette formation, and with time and proper care, these plants can grow to be rather tall. Increased humidity keeps the green fronds of the Silver Lady looking lush, and make sure to water when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. Some Silver Lady Ferns shed their leaves occasionally, but with proper watering and maintenance, leaf drops can be significantly reduced. Lucky Lady Ferns with larger leaves tend to be less messy and require less water than their thirstier cousins. Learn more about their care requirements!
Light
Most people assume ferns thrive in the shadows, but these houseplants need some light, so don't hide these misunderstood indoor plants in dark corners! Medium, indirect dappled light will bring out the best in them (picture them under a thick canopy of trees on a sunny day). Avoid direct sunlight, especially in the summer when the sun's rays are intense! The less light your Blechnum gibbums receive, the slower they will grow, and they may become leggy and thin. If you see this happening, immediately relocate your Silver Lady Fern to a brighter spot! Learn more about what light is right for your indoor plants!
Water
Lucky Lady Ferns need constant moisture, but don't let them sit in standing water; you will regret it! Only certain types of wetland ferns can live in that environment, and ours are not those types! More importantly, do not neglect to water your Silver Lady Ferns. When that happens, you will find a dying Lucky Lady Fern surrounded by a ring of brown, crunchy leaves. Try this little trick if you are unsure how often to water your Silver Lady Ferns. Water frequently, but lightly. Instead of soaking your Silver Lady Ferns once a week or whenever you water your plants. Give them a little bit every few days, or just enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. If the watering riddle still has you scratching your head, consider planting your ferns into self-watering planters, and don't forget to fill the planters when they dry out! The onus falls on you to ensure that their delicate fronds get the water they need to frond on!
Temperature
Silver Lady Ferns adapt quickly to most household temperatures. They prefer to live in cooler temps but can withstand temperatures into the 90's. They'll just need more water and shade during a heatwave. When the temperatures are hot and stagnant, we recommend using a fan to provide good air circulation! Moving air helps keep pests and diseases, and fungus away!
Soil
The soil composition is critical when it comes to growing Silver Lady Ferns! They need a soil medium that can retain moisture but still drain excess water to avoid the roots from rotting (not a pretty sight!). Most pre-mixed soils will suffice. Make sure that there is plenty of organic matter, like coco-coir, peat moss, or shredded leaves, and avoid soil containing moisture retaining crystals. If your soil drains too quickly, we recommend re-potting your Silver Lady Fern into a compost-rich soil mixture. Learn how to make your own indoor plant potting soil!
Humidity
Humidity is a M-U-S-T to keep your Silver Lady Fern strong and vigorous! If you think about the tropical rain forests where they naturally grow, it's easy to understand why. A humidifier will be the best solution to raise the humidity in your home during the cold months when the forced-air heat is cranking and dries out the air. We do not recommend misting your Silver Lady Ferns -- or any plants --as a source of humidity. You would have to be misting all day for that to happen!. Misting does almost nothing to help raise the humidity for your plants, even though it feels therapeutic and relaxing to do! A stylish and practical way to increase the humidity in a small area is to place them on a tray filled with pebbles and water so the evaporating moisture can reach the foliage. Learn how to increase humidity around your indoor plants!
Fertilizer
Feed your Silver Lady Ferns with a ¼-diluted complete liquid fertilizer twice a month during the growing season. You can add organic compost, worm castings, or a slow-release fertilizer. Keep in mind that ferns are sensitive to being over-fertilized, so always dilute any concentrated fertilizer before applying it! Do not feed during the winter or in the colder months.
Growth Rate
Silver Lady Ferns are fast-growing ferns that can grow up to 6’ with the proper light, temperature and care!
Pet Friend or Foe
The Silver Lady Fern non-toxic to pets! friend.
Pro Tips
- Only fertilize your indoor plants after you've saturated the soil with water; this avoids burning the roots and foliage.
- Group Silver Lady Ferns together to make caring for them easier.
- Leave your Silver Lady Ferns in the grow pots or plant in nonporous pots as this helps keep their soil moist.
- Avoid doing these 7 things to your ferns!
- Indoor Ferns can become root-bound which leads to stunted growth. Re-pot your Silver Lady Ferns when they become root-bound, into a container that is 2" wider in diameter, using organic-rich soil when re-potting them!
- A great time to divide your Silver Lady Ferns is when you are re-potting them; take a sharp sterilized knife and carefully slice the root ball in half, and plant each division into their own new pots!
- Try placing a Silver Lady Fern that is potted in a terra-cotta pot into a larger ceramic pot. Place moistened moss between the inner terra-cotta pot and the outer ceramic pot. The moistened moss will help slow down the terra-cotta pot from wicking away the moisture from the Silver Lady Fern's soil.