Tips for Growing Indoor Fern – A Plant that Purifies the Air

The indoor fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, requires minimal care, enhances indoor spaces with its beauty, and, additionally, purifies the air. How to properly care for it?

The indoor fern, a houseplant, doesn’t demand much care, making it suitable for indoor spaces with limited light in homes or offices. It enhances the interior while purifying the air. Here are several tips for growing indoor ferns:

Ideal Placement for the Fern: The indoor fern thrives in spaces with high humidity, such as the kitchen or bathroom. It also suits places in the home without direct sunlight or somewhere in the shade, away from drafts or heat sources like radiators and heaters. Maintain an optimal temperature of 18-20 degrees in summer and 14-15 degrees in winter. Ferns look best when evenly lit from all sides, which is why they are often grown in hanging pots.

Soil Requirements for the Indoor Fern: When planting or transplanting your indoor fern, use peat compost. Ensure the soil is always moist – in summer, water it up to three times a week, while in winter, once a week is sufficient. For a healthier appearance, feed the plant every two weeks with water containing liquid fertilizer for leafy plants from April to the end of September. Keep in mind that this plant thrives in high humidity. If the room lacks humidity, plant it in a plastic pot and place stones in the tray under the pot. Lack of humidity will be evident if the leaves become crispy and brittle.

Propagation of the Indoor Fern: The end of winter and the beginning of spring are ideal for propagating this plant. Propagate it by:

• Removing it from the soil with its root
• Dividing it into two parts
• Planting the two parts in separate pots You can also plant it from seeds. For this plant, choose a plastic container, as it retains moisture better than a clay one.

Interestingly, ferns have the property of purifying the air. According to a NASA study, the indoor fern is perhaps the best choice if your goal is to purify the air in your home. With proper care, a little time, and adherence to growing rules, you’ll have a beautiful decorative plant that not only freshens up your space but also serves as a wonderful decoration.

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