wood fern

Wood ferns (Dryopteris crassirhizoma) prefer a medium to high humidity environment and need to be kept moist, but not too wet or soggy. Water the plant regularly, once or twice per week, so the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. In hotter months, water more often to prevent the soil from drying out. Allow the soil to partially dry out between watering. To achieve this, water your wood fern deeply but less frequently. During the summer months, mist the foliage once a week to mimic its natural environment. Reduce watering long before winter and during winter keep the soil lightly damp but never soggy. Overall, wood ferns do best in a damp, moist environment year round.

Wood ferns (Dryopteris crassirhizoma) thrive in partial to full shade in moist, organic-rich soil with good drainage. They should be kept out of direct sunlight, especially during the hottest times of day. The ideal amount of sunlight for wood ferns is dappled to full shade, which means around 2–4 hours of direct sunlight per day during the spring and summer months and no direct sunlight in the winter months. It's also important to remember that wood ferns should not be exposed to extreme temperatures. They are best kept at temperatures between 15-25°C (60-75°F).

Wood fern should be pruned in late spring or early summer, after the new growth has emerged. To prune, cut away any dead or discolored fronds, or those that are overgrown or misshapen. Leave at least 1-third of the original frond sets intact at the base of the plant, so that it can continue to grow. Pruning should be shallow and avoid cutting too deeply into the center of the fern, to avoid cutting into the rhizome. This species may also need to be thinned and divided every 3-4 years to promote healthy growth.