How do I revive dying ferns?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.When trying to revive dying ferns, act promptly, but success remains achievable with the right technique. I have successfully revived ferns that were over 90% brown using my systematic revival process. The first step is to cut every dead frond to the base of the stem using sterilized scissors. This will currently redirect energy towards the remaining live parts of the fronds (each plant has its own methods for surviving). You will need to be prepared for very intensive care that will last for several weeks.
Initial Assessment
- Identify living tissue: green stems or firm roots
- Check soil moisture saturation levels
- Inspect for pest infestations under leaves
- Determine primary stressor: water/humidity/light
Emergency Interventions
- Submerge root ball in water for 30 minutes
- Trim dead foliage within 1" of healthy tissue
- Apply anti-stress seaweed solution
- Isolate from other plants
Post-Revival Care
- Maintain 70% humidity for first two weeks
- Provide bright indirect light only
- Water when top half-inch dries slightly
- Monitor new growth daily
The rehabilitation of your plant's roots will determine the success of the revival process. Carefully take out the plants and soak the roots in lukewarm water for 30 minutes. Trim any black, mushy parts off so everything looks clean and fresh in the earth. Repot the plant into a new well-draining mix of perlite and bark, and water with a diluted solution of seaweed fertilizer, just enough to dampen the surface and trigger the regrowth period. Do not fertilize the plant until it has stabilized during the recovery period.
Create a humidity dome using clear plastic bags by loosely covering the repotted ferns, which will trap moisture. Each day, you can open the bags to exchange the air, ensuring that mold does not develop in the trapped humidity. After repotting, ferns should be in 70 - 80% humidity while they recover. I placed humidity trays, made with pebbles and water, below each plant. "Humidity trays" mimic tropical microclimates and are critical to helping ferns recover.
Signs of recovery may begin to appear as you see fiddleheads coming up within 3 to 5 weeks. Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled fronds that you see starting to open up. As signs of fiddleheads appear, gradually lower the humidity to 60%. Only apply diluted fertilizers when you see that three healthy fronds have developed. Patience is crucial during this recovery phase.
Prevent relapse through environmental stabilization. Maintain consistent temperatures between 65-75°F. Protect from drafts and direct sunlight. Your revived ferns often grow bushier than before with proper ongoing care.
Read the full article: 8 Expert Tips: How to Care for Ferns Indoors
