Growing Ferns in Planters on the Front Porch

Ferns add color and texture to a front porch. They thrive in shaded environments with moist soil that remains consistently damp, while some varieties, like the Delta Maidenhair Fern, require medium/bright indirect lighting as well as high humidity levels for best growth.

Ferns are tropical plants that require a constant supply of moisture; misting their leaves regularly is one way to create humidity in their environment.

Selecting the Right Fern Species

Ferns are an attractive addition to porch planters across Southern states. According to Pam Clark from Birmingham-based Leaf & Petal, almost any type of fern that thrives in soil conditions can also thrive in containers with adequate drainage and organic matter such as peat moss and composted manure. A layer of gravel or pebbles in your planter bottom helps ensure proper drainage as well as retain moisture on hot days.

Boston Fern (Phyllisia obliquata) is one of the most popular houseplant ferns, due to its ease of growth across a range of temperatures from 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, this species can overwinter indoors provided it receives enough sunlight and warmth; its bright green fronds feature rippled edges. Best suited to shade and high humidity environments while indirect light may still work for it; consistently moist soil conditions work best while half strength water-soluble fertilizers work great when new fronds appear; so it should also overwinter indoors easily in an indoor setting as long as sufficient sunlight and warmth can be provided when overwintering indoors compared with traditional overwintering methods used with planters.

Asplenium nidus, commonly known as the Bird’s Nest Fern, is another beloved garden planter favorite. A native of rainforest environments, this fern features lance-shaped fronds that resemble bird’s nest leaves when in full sunlight and easy growth in shaded gardens and containers alike; especially the “Macho” variety which has long, lance-shaped fronds the length of a ballpoint pen with up to four foot height and six to eight foot width potential in ideal environments.

Ferns require plenty of water, but it’s essential not to overwater. Aiming for misting or lightly watering every other day rather than fully submersion can help ensure optimal health of the plant. Furthermore, regular fertilization with fertilizers every four to six weeks may ensure maximum health of ferns.

Soil Mix

There are a variety of soil mixes to suit every plant type and purpose. Tomatoes prefer one mix while ferns need another – so finding an optimal mix that promotes air to reach their roots while still retaining moisture and nutrients is critical.

The ideal soil mixes are composed of organic materials that absorb water like a sponge, providing plants with access to moisture between watering sessions. Furthermore, organic materials bind onto nutrients for release gradually over time to the roots while acting as buffers against sudden pH shifts and making working with it simpler.

A successful soil mix should include aged bark from tree trunks that has decomposed, sphagnum peat moss (not sedge peat), composted manure, vermiculite, perlite and lime; some varieties even include gypsum as a wetting agent to keep the mix evenly moistened. Steer clear from soil containing seeds or unwanted fungi which could inhibit plant growth.

Create your own potting mix easily at home by mixing together 13 gallons of peat moss or coconut coir with 8 gallons of perlite/vermiculite, 7 gallons of sifted compost, 1 cup blood meal/1/2 cup bone meal and ground limestone. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Some purist gardeners believe you cannot have too much potting soil in a large planter, since more surface area for rootball will result in better health for your plant. But the amount you require depends on both how big your planter is and its projected height: for instance, fill only to the height of the top stems (in case you are growing fern). As extra support add a layer of coarse gravel or small rocks in the bottom for extra security when watering it.

Watering Techniques

Ferns thrive in shaded environments and make an eye-catching focal point on any shaded front porch. Flowers require considerable energy for development and may not thrive well under such circumstances, making planters that focus on foliage more appealing to gardeners.

Before purchasing a fern for your porch, it’s wise to assess its sunlight conditions. If it receives full sun for more than six hours each day, flowering annuals or sun-lovers could make for attractive additions; alternatively shade-tolerant perennials or trailing vines might work better in pots.

Once again, while you may not have complete control of which species of fern you choose for yourself, working with an expert at a garden center will allow you to select an ideal specimen that complements both your porch and soil type. To help it flourish to its maximum potential, choose a vessel with drainage holes for planting in rich potting mixture composed of perlite-amended peat moss and orchid bark before loosening and teasing apart its fronds and roots before placing in its new home.

Once your fern has been planted, water it well to hydrate its soil. Check regularly to determine whether additional irrigation may be required and keep in mind that ferns dry out more rapidly than some houseplants so establishing a regular schedule for watering should help.

Hanging basket ferns should be watered more regularly than containers; if unsure, please seek advice from staff at your local garden center.

Boston ferns are among the most popular choices for home use, but you could also consider planting Maidenhair and Tiger ferns as part of your planters. Maidenhair produces beautiful fan-like fronds that look stunning suspended from hanging baskets; hardy in many climate zones; while Tiger has brilliant green leaflets striped with gold that stand out when placed in hanging baskets or corners of porches; both require high humidity and consistently moist soil conditions – and should be brought indoors during periods when temperatures dip below freezing!

Aesthetics

Ferns add curb appeal to your home by drawing the eye directly towards the front door, drawing people in. Ferns also work well when placed in planters alongside other colorful and texture-enhancing plants such as ivy, hydrangeas and mums; adding color and texture while simultaneously drawing people in. Ferns come in an assortment of colors and textures from their leaves to stems that are sure to meet any style preference or requirement.

Boston Ferns (Dryopteris erythrosora) are iconic green ferns you’ll often see gracing front porches from April through August. Their bold foliage makes them the ideal choice for use in urns flanking entryways or hanging baskets at the top of steps.

If you prefer an organic, casual vibe on your porch, consider maidenhair ferns (Athyrium niponicum). With their cascading branches that hang from hanging planters, these lush greenery thrive best when kept in shade or partial sunlight conditions.

As easy-care as these ferns may be, the soil must be rich in organic matter like peat moss or dead leaves for optimal growth. They thrive indoors or in shaded outdoor locations; frequent watering will keep their lush appearance.

The ‘Macho’ fern is an eye-catching specimen that can grow to be as large as a basketball with leaves as long as your thumb. A fast-growing and heat-tolerant plant, it thrives when given plenty of shade on your porch or patio. One method to overwintering this dramatic specimen involves trimming back its side fronds near its pot’s rim before moving it indoors for winter hibernation – when spring arrives and frostbite threatens, bring the plant outdoors in an ideal protected spot so frostbite doesn’t become a concern!

If you are planting a large container of fern, fertilizing with general purpose granular water-soluble fertilizer on a regular basis will help replace lost nutrients due to frequent watering. Care must be taken not to over-fertilize as too much nitrogen encourages leaf growth at the expense of roots; consider factors like soil type, container drainage and temperature when deciding how often you should fertilize your ferns.