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watering indoor kimberly queen fern #777092
Asked November 03, 2021, 3:41 PM EDT
I have a kimberly queen fern I am keeping indoors for winter & may do permanently. I have read conflicting info on the web on proper watering. Some sites say they "don't like hard water" & use softened tap water. Others have said hard water is ok. Others say add a bit of epsom salt to the water.... I have well water which according to a test in 2016 for hardness as CaCO3 came back as 99 (mg/l), or 5.75 grains (?). I did put in a softener a few years ago & a rep for the company said my water "wasn't that hard" according to this test & had me set the softener to a minimum, just enough to "fool" it into recharging every couple weeks. Many sites advise not to use soft water for plants generally. None of this makes sense to me because softened tap water doesn't have salt in it anyway, according to what I've read about how water softeners treat water. Maybe they're just concerned the plant might not get enough natural minerals? Which water should I use for the fern, & indoor plants in general? I'm also not sure how to compare this with rainwater (which won't be possible this winter) since well water seeps through rocks, soil, etc., & isn't really the same as rain.
Thank you from an old MSU alumni.
Tuscola County Michigan
Expert Response
The Kimberley queen fern needs consistent humidity and moisture to thrive. This can be difficult to find in the average household environment if you are growing your plant indoors. However, the ferns do take well to container growth. Just be sure to water regularly and provide supplemental humidity as needed. Humidity can be provided with a shallow pan filled with small rocks or marbles that is watered every few days. This pan should be kept near the fern. 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 is not 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. Water that contains a large amount of salt or chlorine should be avoided. Your water is fine for watering the fern. If you plan to move the fern back outside in the spring your tap water will work simply fine.
You can find more information here: Kimberley Queen Fern: Plant Care & Growing Guide (thespruce.com)
I hope this information helps and have a great gardening season.
