log fern

Log Ferns (Dryopteris celsa) prefer well-drained soil and should be watered regularly and moderately. This fern species likes to have the soil slightly moist but not overly wet. Water the plant whenever the soil feels dry, usually once or twice a week in the warmer months. During the cooler months, reduce watering to about once a month. Make sure to avoid wetting the fronds of the Plant, and keep the soil draining freely. Check the soil before watering and wait until the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil feel dry to the touch before adding more water.

Log ferns enjoy bright, indirect sunlight, with at least 4 hours of sun per day. In more northerly climates, log ferns should be protected from direct sunlight during peak hours, from midday to mid-afternoon. Direct sun at this time can bleach the fronds and cause discoloration. However, if the fern is planted in a bright spot receiving fewer than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day, it should be supplemented with artificial light.

Log Fern should be pruned twice a year when the plant is actively growing during the early spring and late summer. Pruning should be done by removing all dead, damaged, or diseased fronds and stems. To keep the plant healthy, no more than 1-third of its fronds should be removed at a time. All pruning cuts should be clean and made at a node or leaf base. Pruning should be avoided during the cold winter months as it may damage the plant. Additionally, when pruning this species, fronds should not be pulled off the trunk, as this can cause damage to the tender tissue.