Why Is My Fern Wilting? (9 Causes, Signs, and Solutions)

Ferns wilt due to underwatering, overwatering, low humidity, insufficient light, excessive direct sunlight, overfertilizing, heat stress, pests, or root rot. To revive a wilting fern, adjust watering, lighting, and humidity, and address potential issues promptly. Prevention involves providing proper conditions and regular care.

Fern plants make lovely, delicate additions to any home, boasting graceful, lacy leaves and the capacity to thrive in low-light conditions. Yet, what steps should you take if your fern begins to show signs of wilting?

Various factors may contribute to your fern’s wilting, but fortunately, there are corresponding solutions.

This guide will delve into the most prevalent reasons why ferns wilt and offer practical steps to revive your plant.

Understanding and Addressing Wilting in Fern Plants

There are a few reasons why your fern may be wilting.

You should first identify the problem and take the proper steps to revive your plant.

The most common causes of fern drooping or wilting and their solutions are:

1. Underwatering

Fern plants are sensitive to drought conditions and wilt if they do not get enough water.

They need to be in soil that is constantly moist but not soggy.

Ferns should generally be watered once a week or when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Recognizing Underwatering

There are a few telltale signs that your fern is wilting from lack of water.

In addition to wilting on an underwatered fern, you may also see:

• Leaves that turn yellow or brown
• Leaves that are dry or crispy to the touch
• Leaves that are dry and brown at the edges
• Leaves that are papery and brittle
• Soil that is dry and crumbly
• Stunted growth

Treating Underwatered Ferns

If you think your fern is wilting from lack of water, you should give it a good watering.

Water the plant until water begins to flow out of the bottom of the pot.

Then, check the soil every few days to ensure it stays moist.

If the soil dries out quickly, you may need to water more often.

2. Overwatering

Ferns are also sensitive to too much water. If the fern roots are sitting in water for too long, they will begin to rot.

Excessive watering of a fern may lead to:

• Using a pot that’s too small
• Not draining the water after watering
• Watering too often

This can lead to several problems, including yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and root rot.

Identifying Overwatering Symptoms

There are a few signs that your fern is getting too much water.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Waterlogged soil
• Mushy or rotting leaves
• Mold or mildew on the leaves
• Stunted growth
• Yellowing leaves
• Leaves that are brown and mushy at the edges

Addressing Overwatered Ferns

If you think your fern is wilting from too much water, you should first stop watering it.

Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.

Then, water the plant less often, making sure the soil has a chance to dry out between waterings.

You may also need to repot the plant in a pot with drainage holes to help prevent overwatering in the future.

You also need to be careful not to let the plant sit in water. After watering, empty any water collected in the saucer under the pot.

3. Low Humidity

Fern plants are native to tropical climates and need high humidity to thrive.

If the air in your home is too dry, it can cause the fern leaves to turn brown and crisp.

In general, ferns need humidity levels of at least 50%.

Signs of Low Humidity Stress

There are a few signs that your fern is not getting enough humidity.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Dry or crispy leaves
• Leaves that are brown and dry at the edges
• Leaves that are papery and brittle
• Stunted growth

Treating a Plant with Low Humidity Stress

If you think your fern is wilting from low humidity, you can do a few things to increase the moisture around it.

You can place the plant on a pebble tray, which is a tray filled with pebbles and water.

The water will evaporate and increase the humidity around the plant.

You can also mist the plant with water a few times a day.

If the air in your home is very dry, you may need to use a humidifier to increase the humidity around your plant.

Grouping plants can also help increase the humidity, so consider placing your fern next to other plants.

4. Lack of Light

Ferns need bright, indirect light to thrive. If they don’t get enough light, they will begin to wilt.

The lack of light can also cause the fern leaves to turn yellow or brown.

Light is essential for the plant to photosynthesize and create food for itself.

If the plant isn’t getting enough light, it will begin to starve and wilt.

Indications of Insufficient Light

There are a few signs that your fern is not getting enough light.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Leaves that are yellow or brown
• Stunted growth
• Leaves that are smaller than usual
• Slow growth

Treating a Plant with Inadequate Light

If you think your fern is wilting from lack of light, the first thing you should do is move it to a brighter location.

Ferns need bright indirect light to thrive, so find a spot near a window where the plant can get plenty of light. An east- or west-facing window is ideal.

If you can’t move the plant, you may need to supplement the natural light with artificial light.

You can use fluorescent or LED grow lights to give the plant the light it needs.

5. Too Much Direct Sunlight

While ferns need bright light to thrive, they do not like direct sunlight.

If the plant gets too much sun, the leaves will turn brown and crispy.

The plant may also wilt as direct sun can cause the soil to dry out quickly and the plant to become dehydrated.

Signs of Excessive Sun Exposure

There are a few signs that your fern is getting too much sun.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Leaves that are brown and crispy
• Leaves that are dry and papery
• Stunted growth
• Slow growth

Treating a Plant Exposed to Too Much Sunlight

If you think your fern is wilting from too much sun, the first thing you should do is move it to a shadier location.

Ferns need bright indirect light to thrive, so find a spot where the plant will be out of direct sunlight.

If you can’t move the plant, you may need to provide shade.

You can use a sheer curtain or blind to filter the sunlight and protect the plant from the harsh rays.

You can place the plant in an east- or west-facing window where it will get plenty of light but not in direct sunlight.

6. Overfertilizing

Ferns don’t need a lot of fertilizer to thrive. Too much fertilizer can be harmful to the plant.

If you overfertilize your plants, the leaves will begin to turn yellow or brown.

The plants may also start to wilt as the fertilizer burns the roots. This can cause the plants to become dehydrated and ultimately die.

Recognizing Overfertilization Symptoms

There are a few signs that your fern is being overfed.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Leaves that are yellow or brown
• Stunted growth
• Leaves that are smaller than usual
• Slow growth
• Burned or dying roots
• Fertilizer build-up on the leaves

Treating Overfertilization

If you think your fern plant is wilting from being overfed, you should first flush the soil with water.

This will help remove excess fertilizer from the roots and prevent further damage.

Once you have flushed the soil, cut back on your fertilizer.

Fertilize your plants during the growing season every other week with a half-strength liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets.

7. Excessive Heat

Ferns prefer cool, moist conditions and can be sensitive to excessive heat.

The leaves will turn brown and crispy if the temperature gets too high.

The plant may also wilt as the soil dries out quickly, and the plant becomes dehydrated.

Excessive heat can also cause the plant to go into shock, which can be fatal.

Detecting Heat Stress

There are a few signs that your fern is wilting from temperature stress.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Leaves that are brown and crispy
• Leaves that are dry and papery
• Stunted growth
• Slow growth

Treating a Plan in High Temperatures

If you think your fern is wilting from excessive heat, the first thing you should do is move it to a cooler location.

Find a spot where the temperature stays below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you can’t move the plant, you may need to provide shade.

You can use a sheer curtain or blind to filter the sunlight and protect the plant from the harsh rays.

You can also mist the leaves with water to help keep them cool and hydrated.

8. Pest Infestation

Fern plants are susceptible to various pests, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.

These pests can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown and the plant to wilt.

Pest infestations can also lead to stunted growth and slow the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Identifying Pest Infestation Signs

There are a few signs that your fern is wilting from a pest infestation.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Leaves that are yellow or brown
• Leaves that have holes or are chewed on
• Stunted growth
• Webbing on the leaves or stems
• A sticky residue on the leaves
• Egg sacks on the undersides of the leaves

Treating Pest Issues

If your fern is wilting from a pest infestation, you should first isolate the plant.

Move it to a different room or location so the pests don’t spread to other plants.

Then, inspect the plant carefully and remove any pests that you see.

You can use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to kill aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.

For scale, you can gently scrape them off with your fingernail or a credit card.

Once you have removed the pests, you can treat the plant with an insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent further infestations.

9. Root Rot

Root rot is a fungal disease that can affect fern plants.

It is caused by overwatering or planting the fern in waterlogged soil.

The fungus attacks the roots, causing them to rot and die.

As the roots die, they can no longer absorb water and nutrients from the soil, which causes the plant to wilt.

Root rot can also lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and leaf drop.

Noticing Symptoms of Root Rot

There are a few signs that your fern is wilting from root rot.

In addition to wilting, you may also see:

• Yellowing leaves
• Leaf drop
• Stunted growth
• Mushy or blackened roots
• Soggy, waterlogged soil

Treating Root Rot

If you think your fern has root rot, the first thing you should do is remove the plant from the pot.

Carefully inspect the roots and remove any that are mushy or blackened.

Then, replant the fern in a new pot with fresh, well-draining soil.

Don’t water the plant until the soil is dry to the touch.

Once the plant is established, water it deeply, but only when the soil is dry.

Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, so let the soil dry out completely between watering.

How To Prevent Fern Plants From Wilting

The best way to prevent your fern from wilting is to provide the plant with the proper growing conditions.

Here are a few tips:

1. Grow your fern in an area that receives indirect sunlight. Ferns exposed to too much direct sunlight will quickly dry out and wilt.
2. Keep the soil around your fern evenly moist. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again.
3. Use a peat-based potting mix when growing ferns in containers. This soil type holds moisture well and helps prevent the roots from drying.
4. If you live in a hot, dry climate, consider growing your fern in a terrarium or greenhouse. This will help to create a more humid environment for the plant.
5. Avoid placing your fern near a heat source, such as a radiator or fireplace.
6. Water your fern with distilled or rainwater if the tap water in your area is high in minerals. These minerals can build up in the soil and cause the leaves to turn brown and wilt.
7. Take care not to overwater your fern. Soil that is constantly wet will cause the roots to rot, leading to a wilted plant.
8. Fertilize your fern regularly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer formulated on houseplants. This will help ensure the plant gets the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and vigorous.
9. Inspect your fern regularly for pests like spider mites, scale, or mealybugs. These pests can suck the moisture out of the leaves, causing the plant to wilt. Treat the plant with an appropriate insecticide if you find any pests on your fern.
10. Do not allow the temperature around your fern to fluctuate too much. Sudden temperature changes can cause the plant to go into shock, leading to wilting.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to prevent your fern from wilting.

Final Thoughts

Houseplants often include ferns among their popular choices due to their ease of care and ability to bring a touch of greenery to any space.

Even seasoned plant enthusiasts may encounter challenges with their ferns at times, particularly when wilting becomes apparent.

The positive aspect is that, in the majority of instances, ailing ferns can be revived with a bit of tender loving care.

When faced with a wilting fern, various factors could be contributing to the issue.

Fortunately, understanding the underlying cause is key to implementing effective solutions and restoring your fern to optimal health promptly.