The Best Planters for Indoor Ferns

Potted Fern Needs

• Most fern varieties require soil that remains evenly moist and doesn't dry out completely. Ferns grow in the rich, moist soil of the forest floor in their natural environment. Potted ferns are more likely to dry out too quickly since moisture drains and evaporates rapidly from the confines of the pot. Good soil helps provide the correct moisture condition but only if a suitable pot is used. The best planter must help retain moisture for the roots without too much water standing in the soil.

Planter Materials

• Planter material choices include clay and plastic. Clay pots lose moisture through their sides. This causes the soil to dry out more quickly so that the soil needs more frequent irrigation. Plastic pots don't lose moisture as quickly so the soil is more prone to becoming soggy. A plastic pots works better for ferns since these plants need consistently moist soil, but care is required to ensure that the plants don't suffer from overwatering.

Drainage

• Planting the fern in a plastic pot with bottom drainage holes allows the excess moisture to drain out of the pot. Water collects in the bottom of the pot when the planters don't have drainage holes, which can result in root rot. The best fern pots have at least one drainage hole in the bottom and a drip tray beneath to catch the excess moisture as it drains. Empty the drip tray after watering so the soil doesn't reabsorb the moisture.

Sub-Irrigated Planters

• Sub-irrigated planters provide an even better choice for ferns, especially if you frequently forget to water the plants. These planters, typically made of plastic, have a reservoir beneath the main part of the pot. You fill the reservoir with water every one to two weeks. The soil absorbs the moisture as necessary using a wicking system to move the water from the reservoir into the soil. The wicking system and reservoir prevent the soil from becoming overly moist while also preventing most dry soil problems.