The cotton candy fern plant's Latin name is Nephrolepis exaltata. The fern is also known as the Suzi Wong fern, which can grow to 5 feet tall. The name of the plant describes its feel and color. The cotton candy fern has soft, fluffy chartreuse-colored fronds. The fern can be planted indoors or outdoors in large containers or hanging baskets.
Tips for watering your ferns: avoid watering from above, which can cause the moisture to splash onto the leaves of your ferns. instead, aim the water you give your ferns at the soil above their roots. it will trickle down into the root zone, where your ferns can absorb it and put it to use.
Mix the recommended amount of liquid fertilizer and water in a watering can. Then simply pour the mix into the soil as if you're watering the plant.
To prune a plant to encourage bushy new growth, snip off the dominant buds on select stems, staggering the cuts to encourage varied growth.
This plant can be easily propagated by division. Dig your plant carefully from the pot, cut through the rhizome and separate it into several clusters. Cut the dead roots and leaves, and repot the parts in a separate pot. Then, water thoroughly.
The cotton candy fern thrives in temperatures of between 60 degrees F and 80 degrees F. If the temperature drops below 60 degrees F or rises above 80 degrees F, the plant growth slows down. The plant does well in areas with medium humidity when the temperatures are ideal.
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.
Aphids are a common problem for the owners of this plant. Apply insecticidal soap to kill these bugs.
This fern is not susceptible to many diseases. Most problems are caused by underwatering or overwatering.
If your fern’s leaves are turning brown, it’s likely that it is underwatered. Mist your fern more frequently to improve its appearance. Cut lower leaves and top them off to promote a bushy look.
