How to Grow and Care for Kimberley Queen Ferns

The Kimberley queen fern (Nephrolepis obliterata) is a lush evergreen plant characterized by its large, gracefully arching, sword-shaped fronds. Overall, the plant has an upright, bushy growth habit. These ferns can be successfully grown outdoors in warm regions, as container plants that are overwintered indoors or as completely indoor houseplants. They have a fairly quick growth rate and are best planted in the spring in well-draining soil.

Fun Fact

The Kimberley queen fern is an indigenous Australian species. Its common name comes from the Kimberley region of Australia and the earl ofKimberley, who was the secretary of state for the British colonies in the 1800s. The preferred common name is sword fern.

Kimberley Queen Fern Care

As with most ferns, the Kimberley queen fern is easy to grow when a few important care requirements are kept in mind.

• Water regularly to keep consistently moist.
• Provide supplemental humidity as needed.
• Plant in a rich soil that drains well.
• Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
• Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased fronds as needed to encourage new growth.
  

Light

Kimberley queen ferns thrive in partial sun to low light conditions. When grown indoors, they do well next to a bright window in indirect light. Avoid harsh, direct sun as this can burn the delicate fronds. When grown outdoors, a shaded location that receives dappled sunlight is ideal.

Soil

A rich, moist, well-draining soil mixture is ideal for Kimberley queen ferns. A standard potting mixture with added peat for additional drainage is sufficient.

Water

As with most ferns, this plant requires sufficient moisture to thrive. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. But it should have good drainage, so the plant isn't waterlogged. Water deeply whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out. Depending on the amount of heat and light that your fern is getting, you might need to water multiple times a week. Note that these ferns can be sensitive to hard water. If you have tap water with lots of salt, fluorine, or chlorine in it, you might need to switch to filtered water.

Temperature and Humidity

Kimberley queen ferns thrive in temperatures between 60 and 70°F, and they cannot tolerate frost. When grown indoors, this means you should keep your fern away from any drafty or cold windows. When grown outdoors, ensure that you bring the fern indoors if your area is expecting frost.

This species requires abundant humidity, and the fronds will quickly turn crispy in dry environments. Adding a humidifier next to your Kimberley queen fern will keep it happy indoors, or you can place it on a pebble tray filled with water to increase the humidity around the plant.

Fertilizer

Abundant feeding is not required, but this fern can benefit from regular fertilization. During the active growing season (the spring and summer) apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month to encourage healthy growth.

Pruning

Regular pruning for maintenance is not a must, but you should trim Kimberley queen fern in the spring and summer months if there are any browning, dead or otherwise damaged fronts. Wilted foliage can also be trimmed. Try to avoid cutting green and healthy fronds and stick to just the weaker ones. Sanitize your gardening shears beforehand and be mindful not to remove more than 20 percent of the fronds.

Propagating Kimberley Queen Fern

The best method to propagate Kimberley queen fern is by division in the spring or in the fall before overwintering. Before beginning, make sure your gardening shears or knife is well sterilized.

1. Encourage the roots to be flexible by watering generously the day before propagation.
2. Wiggle the fern out of it's container gently.
3. Free the roots of excess soil and look for the natural division lines.
4. Separate the fern into sections using your shears so that each section has a root ball and fronds.
5. Repot your newly made fern into a new container.
6. Water again generously to help it to establish.

Take extra care of your newly planted fern over the coming weeks. Mist the leaves every morning to keep them hydrated without waterlogging the soil.

How to Grow Kimberley Queen Ferns From Spores

Growing Kimberley queen ferns from spores is a fascinating and easy process. Spores grow naturally on the fronds of established ferns as the plant’s way of reproducing (like seeds for other plants). Fern spores are so small that they are only visible to the naked eye when multiple spores are crowded together, which will look like small brown dots on the undersides of the fronds. Here's how to grow your own Kimberley queen fern from seed.

1. Place a paper bag around a frond and secure it gently to the base.
2. Add a small stake to support the front, and the bag will ensure that it doesn't break under the additional weight.
3. Remove the paper bag after 10 to 12 days. It will be coated in brown dust, which are the fern spores.
4. Shake out the spores on top of moistened sphagnum moss and propagating medium in a shallow germination tray, and cover with the tray lid. Keep them consistently moist as they germinate.
5. Look for a thin layer of moss on the potting medium followed by small fronds. Leave the tray lid slightly open for circulation once the fronds appear. Continue to keep moist.
6. Remove the lid entirely about a week after the fronds have appeared.
7. Transplant the ferns once they're large enough to handle in groups of four to five into small plastic pots with a well-draining potting medium.
8. Ensure that they remain moist as they mature.

As the ferns age, you can gradually transition to a typical Kimberley queen fern watering and feeding schedule.

Potting and Repotting Kimberley Queen Ferns

When potting, ensure that the container you choose has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging the soil. Also, avoid fertilizing your fern for at least a month, so you don't burn the delicate roots.

The Kimberley queen fern does well when root bound, so it doesn’t require frequent repotting. However, once the pot is filled with roots that are popping up above the soil and out through the drainage holes, it's time to repot. Choose a container that is 2 to 3 inches larger that the one it was in and fill it with fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

If your Kimberley queen fern resides outside, you should move it inside for winter. This should be done well before the first frost. Simply bring it indoors and place it where it will receive indirect light. Increase humidity around the fern by running a humidifier nearby or using a pebble tray mixed with water. Keep away from any particularly cold or drafty areas.

Common Pests and Diseases

Ferns in general are not overly prone to serious issues with pests and diseases, and the Kimberley queen fern is no exception. However, when grown as a houseplant it is susceptible to the usual range of common houseplant pests, including aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Use an insecticidal soap to treat infestations.

Common Problems with Kimberley Queen Fern

Leaf Tips are Browning

If the leaves are browning it may indicate a moisture problem. Check humidity levels as well as your watering schedule and adjust accordingly. The soil should be consistently moist but not overly saturated. Increase humidity around the fern with a pebble tray or a humidifier.

Growth is Leggy

If the foliage is becoming leggy, make sure the fern is receiving adequate light. An insufficient amount of sun could lead to sparse growth. Move the fern where it can receive brighter, indirect light and you will notice the foliage become fuller over time.

Leaves are Turning Yellow

Yellowing leaves could mean a number of things including poor drainage or a nutrient deficiency. Check to make sure your soil is well-draining and adjust your watering schedule if needed.

From: thespruce