How to Grow and Care for Japanese Painted Ferns

Japanese painted fern is known for its colorful, arching, and triangular silvery-green leaves (fronds) with purplish midribs. It is a variegated fern that tolerates mildly acidic soil and deep shade, making it ideal for woodland gardens in a temperate climate.

This deciduous fern is a slow-growing plant that adds about 12 inches to its overall size each year. The fronds die back in the winter and return with a robust fullness in the spring.

Japanese Painted Fern Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Japanese painted fern:

• Plant it in a location with partial or full shade but protect the fronds from hot afternoon sun to avoid sunburn.
• Work amendments into the soil before planting to improve drainage.
• Water to keep the soil is consistently moist but not waterlogged.
  

Light

Plant a Japanese painted fern in either partial shade or full shade. The choice may depend on where you live. At the southern end of its range, Japanese painted fern should be grown in full shade. In northern locations, opt for full or partial shade though some shade produces better color.

Soil

Grow Japanese painted fern in rich soil with plenty of organic matter and a soil pH between 4 and 7. The soil should have excellent drainage to avoid root rot and fungal diseases.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist (but not soggy). Otherwise, browning on the fronds will occur during the heat of summer.

Temperature and Humidity

The Japanese painted fern does best in moderate temperatures of 55 to 80°F with moderate humidity of 40 to 60 percent.

Although Japanese painted fern is winter-hardy, if you are growing it in a pot, the roots are insufficiently protected against the cold. Keep the fern outdoors year-round but winterize the container.

Fertilizer

Additional fertilization should not be necessary as long as you occasionally work organic soil amendments into its soil (including feedings of manure tea). If you prefer commercial fertilizers, apply a balanced fertilizer in spring, carefully following the instructions on the label.

Types of Japanese Painted Ferns

Cultivars of Japanese painted fern include:

• 'Wildwood Twist': This hybrid has silvery gray and green fronds with a twisted appearance.
• 'Burgundy Lace': This patented variety has burgundy-purple fronds and stems in the spring. The fronds turn grayish-green as they mature but the midribs remain purple. The plant is hardy in USDA Zones 5 to 8.
• 'Silver Falls': This is another patented variety for Zones 5 to 8. It was bred to have more silver in the fronds and a longer period of up to two months during which the fronds maintain their silver color.
  

Pruning

Pruning is not necessary but trimming away dead or diseased fronds is a good choice throughout the growing season. Prune the fern to keep its desired shape.

Propagating Japanese Painted Ferns

Japanese painted ferns spread slowly through rhizomes and propagating a mature fern by division is easy (note that patented varieties are prohibited from being propagated).

To propagate your fern:

1. Dig up the ferns carefully and pull the roots apart. A mature plant is easy to divide into three or four sections.
2. Plant those sections immediately at the same depth in a new location.
3. Water the transplanted ferns thoroughly. They should get established in their new location within a few weeks.
   

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Fortunately, Japanese painted ferns don't have many pest problems. Snails or slugs might nibble on the fronds. Remove them by hand. To deter the pest, treat the fronds with neem oil. Alternatively, create a barrier around your plants with mulch or rocks. Rabbits love to eat the fronds but deer are not usually an issue.

Overly moist soil can show signs of fungal issues or root rot. Avoid this by ensuring that the soil is well-draining.

Common Problems With Japanese Painted Fern

The Japanese painted fern is a low-maintenance plant and the only problem you may encounter is the changing color of the fronds.

Fronds Losing Color

Even when grown in an area sheltered from bright sunlight, Japanese painted ferns lose some color. Once spring turns into summer the fronds will normally become greener.

Fronds Turning Brown

It is also natural for some fronds to brown and die over time. Cut off the dead fronds when you see them, mostly for aesthetic purposes. Browning is usually due to lack of water. To prevent the soil from drying out, apply mulch around the plants.

Fronds Turning Yellow

If the fronds are yellowing and wilting, it is usually from overwatering.

From: thespruce