Can brown ferns recover?

Brown ferns that display brown fronds can recover well with some intervention. I have been able to revitalize many plants that appeared to be dead by handling the root cause. The first step in recovery is to prune the damaged fronds with sterilized scissors, and the next step is to correct the environmental factor or factors that are contributing to improper humidity levels. Once the air is adjusted to the correct factor, growing habits will resume, resulting in vigorous green growth and thriving plants rather quickly.

Prune strategically to redirect energy. Only prune fully brown areas, leaving healthy tissue intact. I prune above a node if new growth is starting to emerge. I would only suggest pruning back no more than 30% of the foliage at a time. If you prune in the morning hours, it allows plants to heal during active daytime hours.

To correct for humidity is the key to recovery. Brown tips denote moisture stress on the plant. Increase the humidity level to 60% using pebble trays or a humidifier. I combine recovering ferns into groups to create better microclimates. I monitor the humidity levels with hygrometers placed near the foliage.

Root rehabilitation frequently dictates success. Carefully pot the plants to evaluate the roots. Cut away the soft, mushy parts and remove them with sterilized tools. Repot with a fresh, well-draining medium. Water the plant with a seaweed extract solution to stimulate root regrowth. Avoid using fertilizer until evidence of new fronds and growth is visible.

New fiddleheads indicate the effective recovery. These recently tightly coiled fronds expand over time. Ensure your plants have ideal conditions at this point. I have observed that my healthy ferns have grown fuller than before. If you are patient, this will result in healthy ferns.

Read the full article: 8 Expert Tips: How to Care for Ferns Indoors