Brown Fern Leaves

My ferns are turning brown on the ends. Leaves are falling off. I put them in the bathroom for the humidity but this just made ends turn brown even more. I water when the soil is almost dry. I am using fertilizer which has kept the plant green. What can I do and how long will it take for this plant to pep up with the right conditions? I wanted to use them in my wedding January first but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

Boston Fern - Nephrolepis exaltata

Firstly, the Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') is a tropical plant, so, in order for it to succeed in our homes, we have to try and give it (as closely as possible) the same environmental conditions it would have growing in its native habitat. This is not to say that all Ferns growing in nature are perfect, absolutely not. In fact, the most beautiful specimens are found in greenhouses where temperature, watering, humidity and fertilizing are stringently controlled. Unfortunately, in most of our homes, the environment is less than perfect, so we can not always expect our plants to look absolutely perfect, no matter how hard we try. Although, in some homes there is that perfect spot where all the factors required for optimum growth and health of a particular plant exist, and it will simply flourish, even with neglect. On the other hand, there are homes where the necessary factors for a particular plant do not exist, in which case, it is best to choose a different plant altogether, one that will tolerate, or even thrive in that particular environment. This is not to say a Boston Fern will not flourish in your home, but, if the plant is constantly showing signs of stress, then it may be best to try growing a different plant under those conditions in the home.

To grow a healthy Boston Fern, the media must be well-drained but also contain ample amounts of organic matter such as peat moss so it will retain moisture. The soil must never be allowed to dry out, it must be kept constantly moist, so the number one problem with your plant may be found in your statement ('I water when the soil is almost dry'). However, the soil must never stay soggy wet as this condition can lead to root rot. Thoroughly water the plant as soon as the soils surface approaches dryness. Do not let the pot sit in the excess drainage water after watering the plant. Water the plant according to the environmental conditions surrounding the plant. For example, a plant will need to be watered less frequently when days are cool and cloudy, as compared to hot and sunny days. A plant growing in a very warm centrally heated room will need watering more often than a plant in a cool room. There is really no such thing as a regular watering schedule for any plant, it should only be watered when it needs watering.

The bathroom humidity is probably fine, as the Boston Fern needs a humid environment, but is the plant receiving adequate light and warmth? They thrive in a curtain-filtered window or artificial light of 300 to 400 footcandles. They must not have direct sun, nor heavy shade. A plant that gradually turns yellow and starts to die off needs more light, or the the air in the room is too warm. When the air is too warm, the fronds will start turning yellow from the base of the plant or the fronds will develop brown spots and fall.

They thrive in a temperature range of 60 degrees F at night and 70 degrees F during the day. If the daytime temperatures are higher, the air must be humid. A combination of dry air and dry soil will result in the fronds dying back. Yellowing fronds, or those with brown tips are the result of the air being too dry. It is important to keep the plant away from radiators and hot air registers as these plants can not tolerate hot dry air or overly warm conditons. The plant must not be subjected to cold drafts. If the fronds are being continually touched or handled, they will turn brown.

Over-fertilizing the Boston Fern, especially if the soil is too dry, will cause fronds to turn brown without fail. In most cases, the plant only needs to be fed twice a year, once in spring and once again in mid-summer, unless the plants fronds are showing the familiar pale green symptom in which case it may need an additional feeding. A balanced plant food such as 20-20-20 applied at half the manufacturer's recommended rate is usually sufficient. As long as the plant looks healthy and is growing, there is no need to fertilize it.

Browning fronds can be the result of a pot bound plant or a compacted soil. When the plant is watered, the water may not soak the entire root-ball if the soil is compacted, but merely drain away down the sides of the root-ball. With a pot-bound plant, the pot is so full of roots that the soil can not hold enough water at each watering to meet the plants demands, and the fronds will turn yellow or brown.

Another possible cause, although unlikely in this case, is damage from insect pests. Keep an eye open for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, thrips and scale insects. If the plant is not too large, it is of great benefit to take it to the shower now and again and give it a washing with a gentle spray of tepid water to wash off any dust or insects that may have accumulated.

Finally, it is not uncommon for the odd mature frond to turn brown on the plant. Simply cut if off at the soil line and remove it. Brown leaflets can also be removed to improve the looks of the plant. It is best to remove the dead fronds close to the soil so the new fronds can grow up through the plant easier. In conclusion, the two most important factors in keeping a Boston Fern healthy and acitively growing are: 1. Never let the soil (media) dry out, and 2. always keep the surrounding air moist or humid. These rules apply to almost all the different kinds of ferns we grow as houseplants.