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Blechnum Gibbum Ferns, or more commonly known as “silver lady fern”, are tropical plants that thrive in rainforests. They are famous for their delicate fronds, which are embellished with a subtle hint of silver, adding an elegant flare to their appearance.
These ladies can tolerate temperatures as low as 10°C, meaning they aren’t too fussy! However, they require some basic love, such as routine misting and regular watering, to keep them strong and healthy.
If you are considering inviting a Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ Fern into your home, dive into our complete guide. We share our top tips for keeping these charming leafy ladies happy, including watering, repotting, fertilising tips, and much more! Following our advice will keep your Silver Lady Fern looking her best year-round!
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Silver Lady Fern Plant Profile
Here’s everything you need to know about Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ Ferns:
| Other Names | Blechnum Gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ Fern; Dwarf Tree Fern; Silver Lady Fern. |
| Appearance | Feathery, long arching fronds. |
| Best For | Beginner and intermediate green thumbs who don’t mind a little upkeep. |
| Native To | The Pacific Islands. |
| Ideal Habitat | Moist environments no cooler than 13°C, with indirect sunlight. |
| Watering Needs | Water when the top third of the soil line is dry – typically every two weeks with intermittent misting. |
| Special Features | Symmetrical palm-like fronds – mature fronds often have a slightly silver hue. |
| Pet Safety | Non-toxic to pets. |
5 Tips for Looking After a Silver Lady Fern
Welcoming a Blechnum Gibbum ‘Silver Lady’ Fern into your home will undoubtedly uplift your living environment with botanical beauty! To ensure your new edition survives and thrives, be sure to follow our top five care tips:
#1 Keep Your Silver Lady Fern in a Humid Environment with Good Air Circulation
Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ Ferns come from tropical and subtropical Pacific islands, such as Fiji, so there’s no doubt these ladies love a humid environment! We recommend keeping your fern in moist, warm areas of your home, like the kitchen or bathroom. It’s equally important to ensure you provide good air circulation to prevent mould, disease, and pests from harming your plant.
#2 Don’t Expose Your Fern to Direct Sunlight
In their natural habitat, Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ Ferns reside beneath the canopy, shaded from the sun, which helps them stay nourished and moist. To prevent your plant from drying out, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight. If you keep your fern outdoors, ensure she’s protected by shaded gardens.
#3 Regularly Water and Occasionally Mist Your Silver Lady Fern
Because Silver Lady Ferns are native to the humid conditions of rainforests, they enjoy being moist. We recommend watering your plant every two weeks, ensuring you top her up in between with an occasional mist. To check if your lady needs her thirst quenched, check if the top third layer of soil is dry.
#4 Don’t Forget to Repot Your Silver Lady Fern
It’s important to report your Silver Lady Fern every two to three years during Spring, the growing season. This will accommodate your plant’s growth, ensuring her roots aren’t squished as she gets bigger!
To prevent shocking the root systems, you must hydrate your plant around 24 hours beforehand. When repotting, you must delicately lift your fern from her pot, ensuring you get as many roots as possible during the transition. The more roots you keep intact, the less likely you’ll be to shock your fern.
#5 Feed Your Silver Lady Fern During Spring
To nourish your Silver Lady Fern, it’s important to feed her fertiliser twice a month during the growing months of Spring. You can also use a slow-release fertiliser every four weeks during warmer months for less maintenance. Ferns are generally sensitive to fertilisers, so make sure you dilute any concentrated liquid.
Quick Blechnum ‘Silver Lady’ Fern Problem-Solving
If your little green lady is looking worse for wear, don’t worry! Here are some common problems accompanied by instant explanations and solutions:
- Problem: Leaves turning grey/brown
Solution: It seems like your Fern is thirsty! Give her some extra water, and mist her in between watering.
- Problem: Black roots
Solution: This isn’t a problem as Silver Lady Ferns naturally have black trunks and roots! However, the roots feel soft and are collapsing, you likely have a root rot problem. If this is the case, simply trim away any affected roots and carefully repot your plant in fresh soil.
- Problem: Yellowing leaves
Solution: Your lady’s had too much to drink! Make sure you cut back on the watering, especially if your plant lives in a darker, damper area of your home.
FAQs:
Still unsure of something? We’ve answered the most frequently asked questions about Silver Lady Ferns to help you out:
Silver Lady Ferns can handle temperatures as low as 10°C, making them frost-tender plants. This means they need protection during the winter months. If you’re looking for a hardy, fast-growing fern, you may find Western Sword Ferns (Polystichum Munitum) an ideal match.
Silver Lady Ferns like to take their time when it comes to growth. It takes several years for this fern species to reach a mature height of 300 to 1000 cm.
Several causes can upset Silver Lady Ferns and cause her to die. Improper watering is the most common cause of an upset fern. If you notice your plant’s leaves turning brown or grey, you aren’t watering your fern enough, and if they are turning yellow, you’re likely over-watering.
Creating a fortnightly watering routine and frequently checking the moisture in the soil can ensure your fern receives the right amount of hydration!
