Deer-resistant and shade-loving, ferns add a whimsical allure to any garden. As one of the oldest plant groups on Earth, these hardy greens can survive just about anything—as long as their environment doesn’t get too dry. They can even help keep soil intact during intense rains and deter certain pests.
If you’re looking to add ferns for a lush, grotto-like garden, no worries—you can propagate them from rhizomes to easily fill in small areas. If you’re up to a challenge, you can also try growing ferns from spores, which takes patience—but after, you’ll have all the fronds you could ever want. Here, we spoke to experts about all things propagation so you can tackle every method with ease.
How to Propagate from Cuttings
Some plants, like begonias, will readily grow roots from a leaf cutting. Ferns, however, will not. There are a few fern species, though, that can grow plantlets from a stipe (the stem piece). This method isn’t as reliable as rhizome division, but it is possible.
If you want to propagate cuttings, first cut a half-inch piece of stipe off from the base of the fern, and plant it upside down in fresh potting soil. After, keep the stipe in a closed, humid environment that receives indirect light—with any luck, after a few weeks, you’ll start to see small green bumps form on the end. Wait a few more weeks, and these should develop into fronds.
How to Propagate from Division
Propagating by rhizome is the easiest way to get more ferns. First, locate the fern’s crown—this is where the fronds meet in the middle. Then, using a clean knife, cut through it. Some ferns will have a trailing rhizome, which can also be divided. “Make sure that each section has nodes or buds,” says Laura Irish-Hanson, a horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota Extension.
Once you’ve cut your fern into several sections, it’s time to prepare the soil. If you’re not planting your ferns in the same area, consider putting down a mix of leaf mold, compost, and sand. “Plant the divisions to the same depth as the original plant, so the crown isn’t buried too deep or too shallow,” says Irish-Hanson. Burying the crown too deep can cause the fern to rot, but planting it too shallow can cause it to dry out.
How to Propagate from Spores
Propagating ferns from spores is a delightful process, but requires a fair bit of time. If you’re looking for instant gratification, propagating from rhizome is an easier way—although plants may be healthier if grown from spores. “Ferns sourced from nurseries are often propagated by division or tissue culture,” says Linda Rohleder, founder of the Wild Woods Restoration Project. “So they’re all clones with little genetic diversity.”
Check the Frond
Look to see that the frond’s sporangia are ripe—these will resemble small brown vessels on the underside of the leaf—ideally in clusters. One frond can have both ripe and unripe spores on it, because they develop at different times. In general, you want the spores to look a little plump.
Make a Tray
Before you sow the ripe spores, you’ll need to make a tray of sowing medium. You can use either a mix of two parts perlite to one part peat moss or a 50/50 blend of peat and sand. Trays can be anything clear with a tight-fitting lid, like a meal prep container from the grocery store.
Sterilize the Medium
The fastest way to sterilize the medium is by microwaving it until it reaches about 180 degrees Fahrenheit (and testing it with a meat thermometer). You can also pour boiling water over your substrate until it cools, then carefully pour what you need into the tray.
Sow the Spores
Lightly tap the spores onto a paper, then slowly sift the spores onto your soil. Place the lid on top and seal them so they don’t dry out.
Germination
You can use indirect sunlight from a window, or you can place them several inches under grow lights. It’s always best to start in lower light and then move the tray closer to the light source once germination occurs.
Be Patient
It may take several months before you start to see small, heart-shaped green gametophytes, and then several months more before you see the first true leaves.
How to Care for Propagated Ferns
No matter which method you used to propagate your ferns, you’ll want to remain vigilant. If you choose to divide rhizomes and then plant them, make sure to keep these divisions moist. If watering the plant directly, keep the water off the crown to avoid rot.
You likely won’t be able to plant small ferns propagated from spores for about a year or two until they’re large enough to be transplanted outside—at least three inches long. Before the ferns are ready to plant, keep the environment as consistent as possible; don’t over or under-water. Also, make sure to move the tray if it’s next to a window, and it gets warmer outside—this can bake your baby ferns.
