How to Grow and Care for Cotton Candy Fern
Learn to cultivate a healthy Cotton Candy Fern. This guide covers creating the ideal environment and ensuring the long-term vitality of its delicate fronds.
The Cotton Candy Fern, or Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Smithii’, is a distinctive houseplant prized for its unique foliage. Its name comes from the soft, fluffy texture of its light green fronds, which have a chartreuse hue. This Boston Fern cultivar is a manageable and popular choice for indoor gardeners. As a member of the sword fern genus, it grows in an upright rosette shape and is non-toxic, making it a safe choice for households with pets and children.
Essential Care Requirements
This fern thrives in bright, indirect sunlight, like that from an east or west-facing window. Protect it from harsh afternoon sun, which can burn its fronds. Using sheer curtains can help diffuse strong light and prevent scorch.
Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Apply water directly to the soil at the plant’s base to ensure it reaches the roots.
A peat-based potting mix is recommended for its moisture retention. You can use a standard potting soil or create a mix with peat moss, coarse sand, and garden soil. The soil should have a slightly acidic pH to support nutrient uptake.
This fern prospers in high humidity and moderate temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing it near sudden drafts from air conditioning or heaters. Humidity levels above 80% are ideal, making bathrooms and kitchens suitable locations. In drier rooms, you can increase humidity by using a humidifier, misting the plant, or placing it on a pebble tray.
The Cotton Candy Fern is a light feeder. During the spring and summer growing season, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks. Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength to avoid over-feeding. Reduce or stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows.
Repotting Your Cotton Candy Fern
Repot your fern when it becomes root-bound, indicated by roots growing from the drainage holes or slowed growth. Repotting provides fresh soil and more space for the roots. This is best done in spring during its active growth phase.
Choose a new container only slightly larger than the current one, as an overly large pot can lead to root problems from soil staying too wet. Gently remove the fern from its old pot, taking care not to damage the root ball.
Place the plant in the new pot and backfill with fresh potting mix. Ensure the top of the root ball is at the same level as in the previous container. After repotting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and minimize transplant shock.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Crispy, brown fronds are a sign of low humidity or dry soil. Increase humidity and adjust your watering schedule to keep the soil consistently moist. Trim off any dead or brown fronds to improve the plant’s appearance.
Pale or yellowing leaves can indicate too much direct sunlight or a nutrient deficiency. First, move the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light. If lighting is not the issue, the plant may need fertilizer, as a lack of nutrients can cause fronds to lose their color.
Spider mites and mealybugs can affect the fern, particularly in dry air. If you notice pests, wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. For more persistent infestations, use an insecticidal soap.