Happy Saturday all! Hope you are all having some fabulous Spring weather like we are here in the Carolinas.
Talking indoor plants here today.
Please tell me it is not hard to kill an indoor fern!~
Remember the indoor ivy? {Decorating with ivy}
You all ran out and bought some yourself because you thought how pretty it looked…
well my indoor plants all died. I am on my second round now…and let’s see how it goes.
Can you really kill a fern?
I truly adore live greenery in a home!
Yesterday my friend Cath told me her sister has had an indoor plant for 20 years!
WHAT? How is that possible…it’s true.
How about you, what is the longest life your indoor plants have had?
Give me some advise would ya?
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Debbie my indoor plants do well and I’ve had some of them for years, but… a fern don’t last more then a few months in this house!! I just bought a new one and the man in the nursery told me you can keep a fern in it’s originally pot until it grows to the edge then it needs to be repotted or else it will choke itself and all the leaves will dry and you’ll have one big mess! Well that’s what happened to my last one, I was constantly vacuuming up all the droppings. Over watering kills plants, they should only be watered once or twice a week depending on the plant. Once a month I use miracle grow too.
Yes, Debbie, I can tell you it’s possible to kill a fern. Sorry! : ( I’ve done it in the past and one of the two I have now looks a little sick. I’m hoping it will recuperate. I’ve had ivy live for years and one plant, that never seems to die and is great to get cuttings from, I can’t remember the name of it. It has heart shaped leaves and they hang down. Whenever I gave it a trim, I’d root some of the cuttings. This is a plant they even carry in grocery stores.
That sounds like pothos. It is a very hardy plant. I have several that are close to 25 years old. I am finally at the point where I can trim them and throw away the clippings! They are hard to kill which is good because with our crazy lives, they often get ignored. But “Boston” ferns (like the one in your kitchen Debbie) are very picky and any that I had, long ago, all died. It’s too picky for me so I never bought any more. However, in my yard I have about eight asparagus ferns. They look delicate but are tough and hardy. I have had those for about 30 years. And they drop their seed pods and spawn new ferns. Along with the pothos, you might want to try succulents like the jade plant. That can get large too and if any bits break off, just stick them in a pot of dirt and you have a new plant. Your sink area would be great for either of these. Good luck.
For some reason indoor plants and I don’t seem to get a long. They go good for a while and then they wind up dead. Outside no problem my plants do great but inside not so much.
Cynthia
Anything I stick in the ground outside grows like crazy and takes over the house. Inside is a completely different story…..I have had success with a Rikki plant. I wonder if all the toxins in paints and mediums kill everything inside….
I will read others’ comments and maybe they can help me, too! Your plants are lovely.
xo,
RJ
I have two plants that are about 10 years old. They spent 7 years in my office at work and now 3 years in my home. I have no idea why or how because I am not a plant expert. I water every 7 -10 days (but don’t over water!) and keep them dust free by wiping their leaves with a damp cloth (my daughter thinks I’m crazy) and mist them once in a while. I have a few others that range from 1 to 3 years old and they are going strong. I wish I knew the trick. I do prefer the outdoor variety though…fuschias, impatiens…I am so ready to plant! 🙂 Have a super Saturday Debbie!
I have had a plant for 20 years too. It ended up getting so big, I gave it to my Mom because it was always in the way! I only have one live plant right now & I don’t seem to think this one will last 20 years, or even 2 years for that matter! Hopefully your fern will do well. I’ve never had a fern indoors, only outside.
I kill them too. But I do have one I bought the year I was married, so darn near 32 years now, at a garage plant sale. It is a mother in laws tongue and they are said to many times out live their owners. Mine wasn’t looking too healthy last month so I moved it, trimmed it and watered it (that’s a key!) and it is looking better.
~Bliss~
HI Debbie Dear! Well, I have two ivies that are 15 years old. When my Daddy passed away, these were the two I took home and they do so well I have to cut them back at times. I just let the soil get dry and then water them. I’ve killed many a fern indoors. So…I planted one of my indoor ferns outside and it grows like wild fired!
Well, anyway, your plants are pretty now! Have a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia 🙂
gosh Deb. so sorry your indoor plants arent doing well. I had a post planned about indoor greenery but I’ve been too busy to get it done. I’ve had some of my larger plants for many years and I just add things or take cuttings- root them and make more or give them away.. Wish you were closer and I’d pot some for you and make a label with instructions for watering and light needs. some are picky not just about HOW much light- but from what Direction it comes…
I had a split leaf philodendron for almost thirty years, thanks to Jim taking care of it. I think last summer was it’s last, though.
I look at it this way. Most ferns and pothos plants cost about the same, maybe a tad more, than a bouquet of cut flowers and usually last longer. I will pick up one of the $10 or $12 ferns for the dining room later this spring. Pothos is a wonder plant. They don’t care if they have great light or not. I usually have several of those going. Back to Jim…he doesn’t like the pothos trimmed back, so they tend to get rather leggy.
Our weather radio just beeped. I am wondering if it is letting us know if it is working. Had to turn to TWC, No pretty plants on the porch quite yet!!
I bought 2 of the most beautiful LARGE ferns last summer…one for me…one for a friend. I hung mine on my front porch and it thrived and grew more beautiful. My friend kept her’s inside in an East window….it also thrived and grew. I then brought mine in when the weather turned cooler….she STILL has her pretty fern and mine is dead as a doornail. 🙁
I have a dracaena that was given to us when my daughter was born 28 years ago. It was originally about six inches tall in a small pot purchased from the hospital gift shop. Today it is six feet tall, and that’s after having been pruned back. It gets moderate light, watered when the soil is dry, and fertilized twice per year. It has a lot of sentimental value to me, so I try to keep it healthy. Wishing you good luck with you indoor plants!
I’m a plant killer too. I don’t mean to be, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Try as I might, they just die on me.
Debbie, I have two ivies in the dining room that are at least 20 years old! I cut them back when they get too long. My mother was a librarian; and she kept them on top of her bookcases at school. I have had them with me for at least 15 of those 20 years. Overwatering is the biggest factor in killing houseplants. And I swear by Miracle Gro. I have live plants everywhere! Love decorating with them!!
Lighting, proper watering and Miracle Gro are necessary for healthy plants. Ferns? Unfortunately, they come to my house to die. I hate it but it just happens. :/ My daughter has a ficus that is over 20 yrs old and she’s NOT an indoor plant person at all.
xo
Pat
It’s awful how I didn’t get my parents green thumb they were both so good with inside and ourside plants. I think I bought an ivy one when you did but it’s long gone now! I do have a philodendron that I’ve had for well over ten years and an African violet that Sydney bought me for Easter when she was three, she’s now almost eleven.lol Believe me they survive only because they want to! I was at Ikea yesterday and I bought three faux ones that look so real, these will have to do, at least they won’t die on me:)
I’ve had indoor plants for years as well. I find that if I only water them about once per week, they do better. A fern has never lasted long for me. I do know of some friends that have been able to keep ferns alive and healthy by hanging them in their bathrooms. Apparently they LOVE the steam from showers.
You can do it! Every now and then on a gorgeous weekend let them soak in some outdoor shade time.
WOW, you Ladies are pretty impressive with your plants. I will try once again, to keep one alive. I think I tend to over water…at least that is what I am gathering given your advice! Thank you!~
Yes Debbie. I have killed plenty of ferns. I will tell you what I do. I cut liriope muscari, boxwood or ivy and put in a glass of water. I set that in a flower pot and disguise it with moss. These last for weeks!
Philodendron is about the only indoor plant that will grow in my house.
Katie
I really hope you don’t kill the fern. It’s too pretty.
If you let a regular old outside potted fern die, you are going to commit homicide on this little one! I don’t know of anyone but you who has killed an outside fern, Deb. LOL I think your thumb must be browner than my own!
Every time I’ve had a cute little fern like yours, it always dries up. With the one I have now, I’m spritzing it with water every couple of days and I keep an eye on the soil to make sure it doesn’t get too dry. It amazes me that I’ve had it since Dec. because I usually kill it within a month. tee hee hee……. Good luck my friend!
You have such a gorgeous view from kitchen…love that greenery too….Just made a trip to Fresh Market after my photography class to gather greens for a centerpiece….love using natural things….
The longest I have had a plant, and it is still living is 8 years…can’t kill this thing…now watch…did I jinx it?…Watch it croak tomorrow!
Sometimes I can keep plants alive and other times not. Don’t know why. Just make sure the roots have good drainage is the main thing so they don’t sit in water and rot. Hopefully your fern will thrive.
Well, I have killed indoor ferns. My ivy is still doing ok…but I expect it will die soon – lol. I think a few plants from the 70’s that never seemed to die were spider plants and philadendron. They were impossible to kill.
I had planted a grapefruit seed with my grandmother when i was in grade school, and I had that potted indoor tree until about 8 years ago. I guess it was it’s time to go. never had any fruit, I’m sure it’s roots were stunted, but I was amazed at how long it lived…a looooooong time!
I’m just like you Debbie, I kill anything indoors. I can grow a vegetable, and flower garden outdoors with no problem, but bring them in and there goners. Hope you have success with your fern:)
I’m not great with indoor plants. I do have a few that have stuck around though (ie. I can’t kill). I have a large palm type plant that my MIL gave us one year and it’s still alive and also a Christmas cactus from a few years ago. I just got a beautiful orchid and I”m doing my best to keep it alive.
I have a plant that’s about 8, I don’t know what it is though. I think overwatering is a big problem with house plants, we’re gone so much that mine are always dry 🙂 good luck with your fern!
Debbie
Don’t over water. Make sure they are getting the light they need and repot about once a year. Some miracle grow too is helpful since it doesn’t get any nutrients from soil.
That window and the display is beautiful. I love it. Have a great night. Jen- COM
I have a ton of plants that I’ve had for 6+ years, which is when I got my first house plant. My biggest advice to people is don’t be afraid to let your plants dry out and don’t be afraid to give it lots of sun. Most people over water. I water my plants once a week, sometimes less often… but in the summer months usually more often. I water when they are dry to the touch. I never use fertilizer and all of my plants thrive. Good luck!
I am sure no expert, but I do indoor my huge Boston Ferns every winter. The secret to ferns? They LOVE water and moisture, if your fern has drainage holes in the container, you cannot overwater the thing. Also mist at least daily, or just hold that lil sucker under your sink sprayer for a few seconds, best wishes! My Mom always gives me her houseplants when she has almost killed them! then we do a revival and I give em back till she almost kills em again…LOL It is just like a game now!