Question
My daughter has recently bought a Green Fantasy Fern and a little larger to repot.  The pot we bought does not have any drainage holes.  Will this be a problem?  Should we get a pot that does have drainage holes, or if not what about watering?

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Thanks,

Holly

Answer
Hi Holly,

I believe that the plant that you have is a Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Fantasy.' It is a variety of Boston fern.

Pots without drain holes are always a problem for any plant. The reason is that excess water, mineral salts and gases build up in the soil and have no way to escape. Gradually these can build up to toxic levels and damage the plant.

The easiest solution is if your daughter's larger pot is large enough to put the nursery pot inside of it. Double-potting into a drainless pot is okay, because it allows you to pull the inner pot out after each watering and remove any excess water from the outer pot.

The fern does not need to be repotted into a larger pot. It needs at least 3-6 months to adjust to its new environment before its roots should be disturbed and even then it may not need a larger pot. Plants do best when their roots are quite crowded.

As with most other ferns, this fern does not tolerate dry soil or direct sun. However, that does not mean that the soil should be soaked constantly or the plant kept in a dark corner.

A north windowsill is a great location for this plant. An east window would be a good second choice.

Give it a good soaking in the sink and let it drip dry. Check the soil surface daily. As soon as the surface of the soil is just barely damp, then it is time to soak it again. If it only goes a couple of days in between soakings, then it may be ready for a move to a larger pot. Use a peat-based potting mix when you repot.

If you have a watering lapse, you can expect a lot of dead fronds, which can then be trimmed off.

I have written an article on Ferns that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp.com