The delicate maidenhair fern is beloved for its lacy, delicate fronds, but this beauty comes at a price – its fussy care requirements. If something is not just right, you’ll quickly see the consequences as the fronds start turning ugly shades of yellow and brown.
Not to worry! Brown fronds don’t necessarily spell doom for your maidenhair fern. This article will explore the most common reasons these ferns get brown leaves and how you can bring yours back to vibrant health.
Lighting Issues
Light problems are the number one cause of maidenhair ferns declining. This plant needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Direct hot sunlight will scorch the delicate leaves, causing them to brown and shrivel up.
Too little light, on the other hand, makes growth slow. Maidenhair fern younger inner fronds turn brown and fall off faster than new ones can grow when it doesn’t get enough sun.
The solution is to place your maidenhair fern in an east or north facing window. An east window provides gentle morning sun, while a north window gives ample bright light without direct rays. Rotate the plant weekly so all sides get even light exposure.
If you don’t have a suitable window, consider supplementing with a grow light. LED plant lights are affordable and last for years. Position the light 12-18 inches above your fern and set the timer for 12-14 hours per day.
Watering Issues
Ferns prefer evenly moist soil at all times. If the soil dries out completely the fronds will quickly shrivel up and die. Brown leaf tips are one sign the plant needs more frequent watering.
On the flip side soggy soil leads to root rot and brown leaves. Stunted new growth indicates you need to back off on watering. The key is finding the sweet spot between too wet and too dry.
Aim to keep the soil slightly moist but never saturated. Check it daily by sticking your finger 1 inch into the soil. Water whenever the top layer feels dry. Pour enough water until it drains from the bottom, then dump out any excess from the saucer.
Low Humidity
Maidenhair ferns grow in damp forests, which is very different from our dry, warm homes. Low humidity stresses the plant, which makes the edges of the leaves turn brown and the fronds get completely crispy.
Use a humidifier in the room where you have your fern and aim for a humidity level of 40 to 60%. Put the pot on a tray of pebbles that is full of water, but don’t let the water reach the bottom of the pot. This evaporating water increases humidity right around the plant.
Misting leaves helps temporarily but doesn’t raise overall humidity. Grouping plants together creates a beneficial microclimate.
Temperature Extremes
Ferns prefer temperatures between 60-75°F and can suffer if it gets too hot or cold. Hot air from heating vents or drafty windows has a drying effect. The plant responds by turning brown at the tips and margins.
Move maidenhair ferns away from hot and cold air sources. Keep daytime temps between 65-75°F and nights above 55°F. Consider a space heater or cooling fan to maintain optimal conditions.
Overcrowding
When a maidenhair fern outgrows its pot, roots compete for space and nutrients. Inner fronds yellow and drop off when crowded. Growth slows down and remaining leaves often turn brown.
Repot in a larger container every 2-3 years or whenever roots fill the pot. Trim off any dead leaves, then gently loosen the root ball and place it in fresh potting mix. This gives your plant room to grow.
Poor Air Circulation
Stagnant air encourages fungal leaf spot diseases. These infections cause translucent brown spots that can spread to kill the entire frond. Proper airflow is key to preventing disease issues.
Make sure fans are not blowing directly on your fern. Gentle circulation mimicking a light breeze is ideal. Move plants away from stagnant corners and prune off any infected fronds.
Improper Fertilizing
Too much fertilizer can burn delicate maidenhair foliage and cause leaf tips to turn brown. On the other hand, lack of nutrients leads to slow growth and inner fronds dying off.
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks during spring and summer. Ease off in winter, but feed monthly if your fern is still actively growing. Flush the soil monthly to prevent buildup.
Normal Leaf Drop
It’s natural for some old inner fronds to yellow and drop off over time. As long as there is new growth emerging, this is nothing to worry about. Just prune off shabby fronds to maintain an attractive appearance.
Monitor your plant to ensure leaf drop does not exceed new growth. With good care, maidenhair ferns can thrive for years. Be patient through setbacks and you can enjoy this delicate fern’s beauty.
Prevention is Key
To keep your maidenhair fern’s fronds green and lush, be vigilant about providing proper lighting, humidity, temperatures, watering, and care. Learn its preferences and inspect it frequently to catch any issues early. While maidenhair ferns may be fussy, they reward your efforts with their graceful, delicate beauty.
Tip 3: Water it when it’s dry but don’t overdo it
Keep a very close eye on your maidenhair fern’s soil. If it feels very dry to the touch or you are seeing any slight shrivelling of the leaves, you need to get some water into her pot asap. You can give the soil a good soak but ONLY if you drain it until all the water has run through – and this is why keeping it in the original pot is a good idea. The thing is, maidenhair ferns like moisture – they need it desperately and so they require the soil to be nice and moist but not sopping wet. You don’t want the roots to get bogged down in too much water. If you do, your beautiful beauty will die on you.
It depends on how warm it is when I need to water her. Sometimes it’s once a week, and other times it’s a little more often. I make sure it’s nice and dry and then give it a good soak, let the excess water drain away and then I leave it until the soil feels dry again. If you don’t want to deal with the draining part, don’t soak it all the way through. Instead, water it little and often to keep it moist. It’s a delicate balance and I find myself checking her soil nearly every day to keep on top of it.
Tip 1: Don’t touch the leaves
It’s clear that I ignored this one in the past, but it could be one reason why so many others have failed to grow in my care (both literally and figuratively). You can’t touch the leaves. I know, I know, how lovely and soft they are, how the delicate fronds just feel so damn nice but resist the urge. The problem is that the natural oils on your hands get on the leaves when you touch them. This makes it harder for the leaves to take in water and light from the air.
When you are handling your maidenhair, do everything you can to make sure your hands aren’t directly touching her leaves or use gloves if you must. Whatever you do, just keep your hands off her!
Maidenhair Fern Review | 1 Years Later | Crispy Leaves | Experiment | Viewer Submission
FAQ
What does an overwatered maidenhair fern look like?
Too much moisture in the soil can also allow fungal or bacterial diseases to develop. Wilted and yellow leaves are the initial symptoms of overwatering. Over time, the stems may droop and fall over, or begin to feel soft and mushy.
How often should you water a maidenhair fern?
Your best bet when it comes to ensuring your maidenhair fern thrives is to focus on multiple water sources for this thirsty species. Soil that stays moist is a good place to start. After that, water your fern regularly, either every day or every other day, making sure the soil never dries out.
Should I cut dead leaves off maidenhair fern?
If Maidenhair Ferns don’t get enough water, then the leaves can go crispy and die back very quickly. If this happens to yours, cut off all the foliage at soil level with sharp scissors. Keep the plant in a shaded place and water it regularly.
How do you know if a maidenhair fern is dying?
The Maidenhair Fern, like many plants, will show signs when it’s not in the best health. Here are some common indicators that your Maidenhair Fern might be dying: Yellowing or Browning Fronds: Healthy Maidenhair Ferns have vibrant, bright green fronds. If the fronds start turning yellow or brown, it’s a clear sign of distress.
Why are my maidenhair fern leaves brown?
Although slightly less common, we must mention overfertilization as a cause of brown Maidenhair Fern leaves as they are just so much more susceptible to this compared to most other houseplants. Maidenhair Fern plants really don’t need much fertiliser and you can even skip it altogether if you’d prefer.
Why are my maidenhair ferns turning yellow?
Yellowing or Browning Fronds: Healthy Maidenhair Ferns have vibrant, bright green fronds. If the fronds start turning yellow or brown, it’s a clear sign of distress. Yellowing can often be an indication of overwatering or too much light, while browning can be due to low humidity or underwatering.
Are maidenhair ferns fussy?
The delicate and graceful maidenhair fern is a popular houseplant but it can be fussy. If something is not just right, you’ll notice it when the lacy green fronds start turning ugly shades of yellow and brown. But never fear!.
Why is my maidenhair fern struggling?
With some attention to its specific needs, you can bring it back to life and enjoy its beauty once more. One of the most common things that can hurt a maidenhair fern is too much sunlight, extreme temperatures, low humidity, or inconsistent moisture.
How do you know if a maidenhair fern is overwatered?
Overwatering is the equivalent of plant suffocation. Maidenhair Ferns’ roots need to breathe, and too much water drowns them out. Signs include yellowing leaves, a musty smell from the soil, and a general look of despair. If the roots are brown and mushy—congrats, you’ve got root rot. To rescue your fern, trim the rotten roots without mercy.