royal fern

Royal fern should be watered consistently to keep the soil lightly moist but not saturated. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist at all times--especially during the summer months. During the growing season, royal fern should be watered every 3 to 4 days. During the winter months, reduce watering to once a week. Water early in the morning, using room temperature water. Always water the soil and not the foliage of your royal fern.

The royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis) prefers a bright, indirect light for most of the day, and should have some shade or filtered sunlight during the hottest part of the day. They typically do best with 4-6 hours of sunlight per day, with an ideal half-shade/direct sun cycle lasting from between 8am-4pm. In their native habitats, they’ll get sun most of the day, so aim for the same amount of sun exposure if you can. If your royal fern is getting too much light, it will drop some of its fronds as a signal for you to reduce its sun exposure.

Royal ferns should be pruned in the late spring or early summer months when the weather is warm and mild. Prune back only with sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors. Use only this method to ensure that you do not damage the plant. You should remove dead or damaged fronds and stems, and thin out any overly dense, unwanted foliage. It is also wise to prune back any plant crowns to provide ample airflow. Pruning should be done carefully and gently to maintain the plant’s shape and size as much as possible.