How to Care for Pigmy Ferns

Prepare your fern pots before purchasing your ferns. Fill a large pot halfway with clean potting soil, and scatter a handful of sphagnum peat moss over the soil. Ferns thrive in damp soil, and the moss will hold moisture and release it slowly to thirsty roots.

Transplant one pigmy fern plant to each pot. Loosen the roots gently with your hands, and set the root ball on top of the moss. Fill in the space around the roots with more potting soil, gently pushing the dirt down to work out air bubbles. Ferns grow best in rich, slightly acidic soil, so add a little more moss to even out pH levels.

Set the pot over a plastic tray filled with water. The water provides extra humidity to closely mimic the damp air of the pigmy fern’s natural habitat. Refill the pan when the water evaporates to keep the air from drying out around the plant.

Place pigmy fern plants in a sunny window. Ferns may grow in low-light conditions outdoors, but indoor plants need a few hours of sunlight a day. East-facing windows are best, but ferns can also be placed in front of lightly curtained south- and west-facing windows. Keep the plants no more than 36 inches away from windows for maximum sun exposure.

Water pigmy ferns with distilled water every few days. The soil should always feel damp to the touch, but should not be muddy or have puddles of standing water. Water just the base of the plant, keeping the leaves dry to prevent mold and fungal growth.

Fertilize pigmy ferns once a month from March through October with a slow-release liquid fertilizer. Ferns don’t need much nourishment, so follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper application. Spread the fertilizer over the soil near the stems, and water gently to distribute it down through the soil.