Overwatered Elkhorn fern Despite how much it loves water, it is possible to overwater the Elkhorn fern. This is most likely to happen if you leave your plant sitting in a pool of water or use a planter that doesn’t have drainage holes. Either of those conditions will be too wet and will prevent the roots from being able to take up nutrients and moisture. Too much moisture in the soil can also allow fungal or bacterial diseases to develop. Wilted and yellow leaves are the initial symptoms of overwatering. Over time, the stems may droop and fall over, or begin to feel soft and mushy. However, be sure to check for other causes if you suspect your Elkhorn fern is overwatered, since other issues can look similar and it’s difficult to give this plant too much water. Underwatered Elkhorn fern Vigilance is required to keep this plant wet enough, unless you’re using a self-watering planter, meaning that many fern owners inadvertently let their plant get too dry now and then. In dry conditions, this plant can change in appearance seemingly overnight, from lush and green to brown and crispy. In extreme cases, the plant may dry up so thoroughly that it seems there are no living fronds left. But it may still be possible to save the plant if some of the roots are still healthy. Cut off all of the dry and dead stems, then water thoroughly and return the plant to its usual location. Unless the roots are all dead, this plant can be surprisingly resilient and start putting out new fronds. It may take several months to grow back to the size it was before, but this is possible if you provide proper care in that time.

Your Elkhorn fern prefers consistently moist soil that mimics its native enironment, which could mean watering as often as every one or two days. This is a plant that should not be allowed to dry out. Once the top layer of soil begins to feel even slightly dry, it’s time to water again. And don’t just give it a few drops of water: soak the soil completely until water drains out from the bottom of the pot. After the excess water has drained out, dump it so the pot isn’t sitting in a puddle. This is the best method to ensure that soil never gets too dry.

The amount of humidity in the air around your Elkhorn fern will influence how often you need to water it. Higher humidity in the air means less frequent watering, as evaporation is slower. Keeping this plant near a heating or cooling vent will cause it to dry out quickly, so choose a location that is protected from any type of draft. They prefer dappled and indirect sunlight and temperatures between 55-80 degrees F (13-27 degrees C) meaning that keeping these ferns in a warm and sunny spot windowsill could cause them to get dehydrated quickly. Rainwater or distilled water is great for this plant if you have access to it, although tap water in most places also works fine. Certain minerals and chemicals in tap water can cause brown leaf tips, especially since Elkhorn fern has very thin and delicate leaves. Small pots can cause issues for Elkhorn fern , because they only hold a small amount of potting medium and can dry out more quickly. It is best to allow this plant more space in the pot than many other houseplants. Consider using a self-watering planter for Elkhorn fern. This type of pot uses a wicking system that allows the soil to continuously soak up water from a central reservoir, meaning that the moisture level in the soil stays consistently moist. Not only does this type of pot keep you from having to constantly water your fern, but it is also quite beneficial for the roots to have a constant supply of water instead of going from dry to wet and then back again.

Pruning your Elkhorn fern is a fairly simple process. First, you will need a reliable set of hand pruners or hedge trimmers. You may use a clean pair of sharp scissors if you don’t have pruners or garden shears on hand. It’s important to always clean your gardening tools before and after using them to prevent the possibility of spreading disease or infection to other plants. To prune your Elkhorn fern simply allow your plant to go dormant over the Winter. Some time between late winter and early spring – or when new growth starts to appear – take your clean pruners or trimmers and cut away any dying, damaged, yellow or declining foliage. Repeat this process until you reach the base of the plant or until there are no dead pieces left to cut. When pruning, be careful not to damage the new growth that may be emerging near the base of your plant. These parts cannot be restored and pruning can increase the ventilation of the plants and facilitate their growth. Any pruning that is done to this plant should be cut straight across the blades or stems. No angled cuts are required. Diseased leaf blade foliage can be removed as it appears. This could be done anytime when your Elkhorn fern is growing.

Once you’ve pruned your plant, you should dispose of the stems and leaves either by composting the healthy ones or throwing out the diseased parts. You can also fertilize just before or after pruning, which gives Elkhorn fern a little vitamin boost that can provide it the nutrients needed to better protect itself from any nearby pathogens or diseases. Do not water the Elkhorn fern immediately after pruning as this can lead to fungal infestation of the plants through the wounds. You don’t need much after care when you’re done pruning. It might benefit from light watering and some liquid plant food to encourage new growth.

Early spring and late winter are the best times to prune your Elkhorn fern on a large scale. If you want to control the size of your Elkhorn fern, you can prune them as you wish, but be careful not to prune more than a third of the size of the plant. Yellow and diseased leaves may appear during the summer months when the Elkhorn fern is growing vigorously and these types of leaves need to be pruned back immediately. These parts of the Elkhorn fern cannot be restored and pruning increases the ventilation of the plant and facilitates its growth.

Strategic pruning is usually done at different times of the year or during certain stages of growth depending on the plant. However, knowing when to prune your Elkhorn fern depends on where you live and how established your plant is. For example, if your Elkhorn fern is a new resident, it’s a good idea to wait until the plant starts to grow back before you start pruning. On the other hand, if your plant is already established, you will want to prune the dry or dead parts in plant before new leafy growth appears in early spring or late winter. This is the time of year when plants are dormant and pruning causes the least damage to them. This is also the best time of year to do more extensive pruning. It’s important to note that if Elkhorn fern is pruned too late in the season, it can leave new growth at risk for damage or disease. However, if your Elkhorn fern is indoors this is not a problem and you can prune at any time. Since this can affect the long-term health and appearance of your plant, it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding when and how to prune. As your Elkhorn fern grows larger over time, you can trim it as needed after annual pruning. Dead, damaged, or diseased leaf blade foliage can be removed as it appears. This could be done anytime when your Elkhorn fern is growing.

Elkhorn fern should receive a small amount of indirect light each day. Filtered light from a tree canopy often provides the best growing conditions. Typically, three hours of daily light exposure represents the maximum for this plant. When the Elkhorn fern gains exposure to either too much light, more than three hours per day, or light that is too direct, it will likely burn, dry out, and die.

At all times, you should avoid giving your Elkhorn fern too much sun exposure. Likewise, you should also refrain from moving your Elkhorn fern into direct sunlight very suddenly. Most of Elkhorn fern are more tolerant of morning and afternoon sunlight than midday sunlight as midday sunlight is the hottest, most direct, and most capable of harming your Elkhorn fern quickly. Likewise, if you grow your Elkhorn fern indoors, you should not allow it to sit where it can receive direct light from a window. When growing indoors, choose a place that receives a small amount of indirect light each day, just as you would when growing outdoors. Finding the correct amount of sun exposure from the start, whether grown indoors or out, is ideal. However, if you find your Elkhorn fern is receiving too much light, you should move its container immediately, or, if your Elkhorn fern grows in the ground, find a more shaded area to transplant it.

While the Elkhorn fern requires very little light compared to most other plants, it still needs a few hours of light to put forth healthy growth. Without those few hours of indirect light, the Elkhorn fern may begin to lose its foliage color and can exhibit stunted growth. However, since Elkhorn fern is so fond of shady conditions, it is rarer for it to suffer from lack of sunlight than it is for it to suffer from too much.

Generally, the low light needs of Elkhorn fern will remain the same throughout the entirety of its life span. However, the one exception to that is when this plant is young. While the Elkhorn fern at any growth stage is vulnerable to damage from excessive or sudden direct light, the Elkhorn fern that is younger is even more vulnerable. The same is true for any Elkhorn fern that has been recently transplanted to a new growing location and has not yet had the chance to establish itself.

For the healthiest growth, Elkhorn fern should receive about three hours of indirect light per day or less. You can consider any amount of light beyond three hours to be too much for this shade-loving plant group. Elkhorn fern thrives naturally in the forest understory, which is why they can conduct photosynthesis with quite low volumes of daily sunlight.

For this tropical plant to thrive, you’ll want to keep them between 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃). Each species can handle temperatures outside of this range, but keeping it within several degrees of these limits will ensure they grow to their maximum potential. As for its extreme temperature limits, any environment below 50℉ (10℃) or above 95℉ (35℃) will begin to hinder its growth and cause various aberrations to its leaves and stems. This is especially true with low temperatures; even a light frost can cause your tropical plants to perish. Cellular death can begin to happen at a rapid pace, with some species dying in as little as 12 to 24 hours.

While Elkhorn fern doesn’t require any changes in temperature to enter different growing phases, it is important to stay consistent. Wild temperature fluctuations can slow down its growth regardless of its current phase, so it's always better to keep them in a controlled environment. That optimal temperature range of 75℉ and 90℉ (25-32℃) is vital to maintain, especially staying above the lower limit. Going above 90℉(32℃) isn’t ideal, but as tropical plant it won’t suffer too much. On the other hand, going below 50℉ (10℃) (and especially 40℉/5℃) will begin to directly damage this heat-loving plant species.

Elkhorn fern does not need different temperatures for different growing seasons. The most important step in seasonal care is to keep the environment within the optimal temperature range. That's why it's always best to keep this plant indoors. That way, you can control the temperature no matter what the climate is like outside. Light is also important for tropical species, with all of these plants preferring a partial side level of sun exposure. This means any light they receive needs to be dappled or filtered, with bright but indirect light being the best option when growing your plants indoors. Too much direct sunlight can negatively affect your plant’s leaves, reducing its growth potential.

Tip #1: Don’t Leave Your Plant Near Windows in Colder Months If you want to make sure your plant isn’t exposed to colder temperatures, you may want to keep them away from windows. In colder months like late fall and winter, even the smallest draft can leak cold air into your home through cracks in your windows. While this air usually dissipates and warms up as it travels throughout your home, any plants placed in close proximity to the window will be affected. Move your tropical plants into an area where they will still get bright but indirect light, while making sure they won’t be affected by potential drafts. Tip #2: If You Find Dry Patches, Your Plant May Be Getting Too Much Sunlight or Heat You may notice the leaves become white or even scorched on a sunny day. These discolorations and unusual markings usually indicate that a plant is getting too much heat or sunlight, and it may be dehydrated. Excess light and heat will dry out the soil, stopping plants from getting the moisture they need to support their cellular structure. It also slows down or stops the process of photosynthesis, further hindering growth. If ignored for too long, these dry spots can spread and eventually result in the death of your plants. Tip #3: Avoid Frost at All Costs Colder temperatures and frost can damage your plants by causing ice crystals or disrupt normal physiological activity. This makes it nearly impossible for water to move freely throughout plant tissue, creating a deficit of moisture in their stems and leaves. You can tell a plant has been damaged by frost if it begins to suffer from hydrosis (it will appear as though it's soaked with water.) If the problem persists, your plants may begin shriveling and turning a dark brown or black hue. After that, the plant will almost certainly die.

The best way to maintain the right temperature range for Elkhorn fern is by keeping an eye on both the climate and humidity. You’ll want to try to keep each species in a room where you have access to climate control, keeping the heat in the temperature range best mimics its natural habitat. The humidity levels will also have a direct effect on temperature, so it's important to monitor these as well. You can artificially raise the humidity of your growing space by using a humidifier or lightly misting the leaves with water. If you intend to grow this species outside, you may find it difficult to maintain the right balance of temperature and humidity. If temperatures begin to drop or the air becomes too dry, your best option is to find room within your home and move your plant inside. An indoor growing space will allow you to control the climate more closely, helping your plant reach its full potential.

Why you need to fertilize Elkhorn fern is pretty simple. Your plant needs the extra nutrients to produce healthy new growth. The additional nutrients also support the health of old growth and can help your plant fight off diseases and pests.

Where Elkhorn fern is growing determines its feeding schedule. It is not a particularly hungry plant but does require some additional nutrients. Outdoor plants require fertilizing once in the spring, while indoor specimens need a monthly feeding starting in the spring and continuing through the summer.

Do not fertilize after the early autumn, which can cause too much growth just before winter. Also, Elkhorn fern should not be fertilized during hot and dry times of year, since dry soil does not deliver fertilizer as effectively as moist soil. Fertilizing at this time can also stimulate growth which in turn needs more water that may not be available. It is best to keep fertilizer for earlier in the season when temperatures are cooler. Finally, remember that Elkhorn fern can absorb fertilizer that has been applied to nearby plants or lawns, so be cautious about inadvertently giving ferns a double-dose of fertilizer.

You have a few options when choosing a fertilizer for Elkhorn fern. It also depends on if the plant is growing indoors or in the garden. Outdoor plants will thrive with a layer of mulch or compost. For indoor plants,an ideal fertilizer will have an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2. However, a general-purpose fertilizer that has an even blend of nutrients can work well in some cases. Still, even when using a balanced fertilizer, the ratio number representing the volume of each nutrient should be at 3 or lower.

Fertilizing Elkhorn fern isn’t difficult, but it will depend on where the plant is growing. Outdoor garden plants do best when a layer of mulch or compost is added to the soil. Make sure the organic material is around the base of the plant. Indoor plants typically thrive with a diluted liquid fertilizer applied before watering, monthly in the spring and summer.

You want to remember Elkhorn fern is a slow feeder. It does not require a lot of extra nutrients, especially nitrogen. While fertilizer does help support health growth, too much can burn the plant’s sensitive root system.