Have you ever went to a nursery and crossed paths with a beautiful fern? This can be intimidating! The flip side of that encounter often revolves around wondering if you can take care of a fern and if it will survive your brown thumb. Ferns are scary for beginner gardeners because they have luscious green fronds and a big presence, in most cases. So they kinda come across as a dramatic plant. But, they are not your enemy! There is one fern, in particular, that will not give you any problems as a beginner gardener. That fern is the Kimberly Queen fern.
Gardening is only as hard as you make it! So why not make it as easy as possible? If a fern is on your must-have list of indoor or outdoor plants, look no further than a Kimberly Queen fern.
This post is all about Kimberly Queen fern care to ensure you have a luscious and beautiful fern.
These ferns are readily available and are not hard to find at all! You will generally see them for sale at grocery store chains, home improvement retailers, and local nurseries. Around Mother’s Day, you will find plenty of them on sale. You can buy them big or small and most of the time, they come in a 3-gallon container (which is fairly large).
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Rules for Care
1. Transplanting Your Fern
Kimberly Queen ferns are sometimes massive. You want to remove them from their original container and put them in a container that is 2-4 inches bigger than the previous container. If you choose to transplant the fern into a pot that is a whole lot bigger, you run the risk of the plant getting soggy or too moist when watering. If there is a lot of room between the plant and the outer rim of the pot, the extra dirt surrounding the plant holds water and can potentially cause the plant to feel as if it is being overwatered.
2. Drainage (Holes)
You can choose a pot with or without drainage holes. However, if you choose a pot without drainage holes, you will want to make sure you have some type of drainage layer in the pot. For instance, you may layer the bottom of the plant with rocks, pumice, or pebbles which allows the water to sit below the plant. This may still be an issue if the plant does not like moisture and humidity. Be sure to check your plant care tag to ensure you are following the recommended conditions.
Choosing pots with drainage holes will take the guesswork out of your drainage questions in most cases.
3. Watering Schedule
Your Kimberly Queen fern does not require a lot of water if it is located in partial shade. You will only need to water your fern once a week. If your plant is in direct sunlight, you will have to water the fern 2-3 times per week until the first inch is moist.
They don’t necessarily care to be moved too much. When watering, move the fronds aside and water at the base of the plant. This will keep you from disturbing the plant and will allow you to provide water directly to the roots.
If your plant is inside your home, you can keep it moist by watering it every 2 days and misting the leaves every morning.
4. Fertilizing Your Fern
Fertilization is optional. However, some gardeners prefer to fertilize them to keep the fronds a deep dark green and promote the overall health of the plant. A general fertilizer can be used once a month for maintenance and some gardeners prefer a liquid fish-based fertilizer.
5. Fern Placement
Luckily, this fern can be an outdoor or inside fern. If you choose to place it inside your home, place them in an area where they get indirect sunlight. If you place it in an east window, it will likely get direct sunlight and require more watering.
If it is an outdoor plant, it will thrive in partial shade. Decks, patios and partially shaded porches and flower beds are good options. If it is an outdoor fern, bring it in before the first frost. Remember to raise the humidity since indoor air is much drier.
These are all the tips you need to take care of your Kimberly Queen fern. Enjoy your plants to the fullest each and every day!
