Ferns are one of the most common types of plants, making them a popular choice for home and garden decor. While they are fairly easy to care for, there is still some debate about whether ferns need sun or shade in order to thrive.
This article will explore this topic in more depth and provide you with some tips on how to best care for your ferns.
Ferns are a diverse group of plants that are prized for their lush, verdant foliage and ability to thrive in a variety of environments. While many people associate ferns with moist, shaded environments, these plants can actually tolerate a range of light conditions, including both sun and shade.
However, the specific needs of a particular fern will depend on its species and the environment in which it is grown. In this article, we’ll explore the light requirements of ferns and provide tips for caring for these plants in both sun and shade.
In general, ferns prefer partial shade or indirect light. They should not be placed in direct sunlight as this can cause the fronds to dry out and become discoloured or weakened. Too much sun exposure can lead to leaf scorching and damage.
Shade-loving ferns should be placed in indirect light, such as near a window that receives filtered sunlight or near an artificial source of light. These plants don’t need as much natural sunlight as other plants and can thrive with very little additional lighting. Ferns enjoy being misted regularly, so providing them with a humid environment is ideal.
Where should ferns be placed?
Ferns that prefer more light should be placed in bright, indirect locations where they will receive several hours of sun each day. They may also need supplemental lighting if the natural light isn’t enough to keep them healthy and green. Make sure to water ferns adequately, being careful not to overwater them as this can lead to root rot.
No matter what kind of fern you have, keep a close eye on its health and the amount of light it is receiving. Ferns need consistent care in order to stay healthy, so make sure to adjust their environment as needed in order to provide them with the best growing conditions possible. With proper care, your ferns can easily thrive in either sun or shade.
What are ferns?
Ferns are a type of vascular plant that lacks seeds and reproduces via spores. These plants are native to a wide range of environments, including forests, wetlands, and rocky cliffs, and have adapted to thrive in a variety of light conditions.
Some fern species, such as the maidenhair fern (Adiantum) and the rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia fejeensis), prefer low to medium light levels and do best in partial shade or filtered sunlight. These ferns are native to understory environments, where they receive dappled sunlight through the canopy of taller trees.
Do different ferns require different amounts of light?
Finally, it is important to remember that different types of ferns may have slightly different needs when it comes to light and environment. Research the specific type of fern you have and make sure you are providing them with the conditions they need in order to stay healthy. With the right care, your ferns can thrive regardless of whether you choose a sunny or shady spot for them.
Other fern species, such as the Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) and the bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus), can tolerate a wider range of light levels and can thrive in either partial shade or bright, indirect light. These ferns are often grown as houseplants or in outdoor shade gardens, where they can add a tropical touch to the landscape.
Despite their ability to tolerate low light levels, most ferns will benefit from some exposure to sunlight. Sunlight provides the energy that plants need to photosynthesize and grow, and it can also help to prevent the foliage of ferns from becoming too spindly or leggy.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that direct sunlight can be too intense for many fern species, especially during the hottest hours of the day. To provide your fern with the right amount of light, place it in a location that receives bright, indirect light for at least a few hours each day.
Ostrich Fern
The first is the Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), which is a native plant in our area and one of the most regularly planted ferns. This is a really huge fern that may grow up to 4′ tall and spread up to a foot broad or more. Once established, ostrich fern creates plant colonies, eventually forming a lovely patch of ferns as they grow via subterranean rhizomes or spores.
This fern thrives on wet soils with some sun exposure, particularly in the morning and away from intense afternoon light. The sunnier the environment, the more crucial it is that the plant has adequate moisture. It favours somewhat acidic soils with high organic matter content, although it will thrive in sandy soils as well if given lots of water.
Lady Fern
Athyrium felix-femina, often known as the Lady Fern, is another tall fern. This is also a native plant in our area and is more drought tolerant than Ostrich Fern, but it prefers damp soil near a stream or pond. It enjoys planting in a shady to the partially sunny environment. This fern does not normally grow as large or spread as quickly as the Ostrich Fern, but it can develop a good colony of plants, largely spreading by rhizomes over several years.
Mature plants can reach heights of 3′ and widths of a foot. Lady Fern also produces spores from fertile fronds that emerge in the middle of summer. ‘Lady in Red,’ a popular cultivar, has more noticeable reddish petioles than the typical species of the fern.
Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese Painted Fern, Athryium nipponicum ‘Pictum,’ is another good fern for our location that is related to the Lady Fern. This fern grows slowly, only reaching a height of 12 to 18 inches. Rhizomes spread it to around 2′. It is called the painted fern because the finely textured, silvery fronds acquire a touch of scarlet when growing in a sunny environment.
However, these ferns grow best when they are not exposed to direct sunlight and are sheltered from the scorching afternoon heat. There are various varieties available with subtle variances in frond colours, particularly the petioles and veins, which are frequently red to burgundy in hue.
The Japanese Painted Fern is not native to our area, but it is hardy, especially if the fronds are left on the plant at the end of the season after they turn brown. If desired, they can be trimmed off in the spring as new growth appears.
Growing ferns outdoor
If you’re growing your fern outdoors, you can provide it with the right amount of sunlight by placing it in a spot that receives dappled sunlight or morning sun. These locations will provide the plant with enough light to photosynthesize, but the canopy of trees or other plants will help to filter out the hottest, most intense rays of the sun.
Alternatively, you can place your fern in a location that receives full shade, such as beneath the canopy of tall trees or next to a north-facing wall.
Growing ferns indoor
If you’re growing your fern indoors, it’s important to provide it with the right amount of light to prevent it from becoming too leggy or weak. Most indoor ferns prefer bright, indirect light, and will do well in a location that receives a few hours of sunlight each day. If your home doesn’t get much natural light, you can provide your fern with the light it needs by using a grow light or placing it near a window that receives bright, indirect light.
In conclusion
In addition to providing your fern with the right amount of light, it’s also important to pay attention to its water and soil needs. Ferns are moisture-loving plants that prefer consistently moist soil, but they don’t like to sit in standing water. To keep your fern well-hydrated, water it regularly and make sure that the soil drains well. If you’re growing your fern indoors, you may need to water it more frequently, as indoor environments tend to be dryer than outdoor ones.
