Choosing a Fern for the Bathroom

Time to Complete: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

• decorative containers
• plastic pots that fit inside
• pieces of plastic
• houseplant potting mix

• slow-release fertilizer granules
• gravel or moss
• maidenhair fern
• bird's nest fern

Pot Up the Ferns

If you bought your ferns in pots that fit into your decorative containers, simply add slow-release fertilizer granules to the potting mix. If not, repot them. In a new plastic pot, put a few pieces of plastic in the base, then add a layer of potting mix. Tip a fern out of its old pot and place it on top. Fill in around it with more potting mix and fertilizer granules.

Siting and Aftercare

Fit the potted ferns into your containers, add a layer of gravel or moss on top of the potting mix. Water the maidenhair fern well throughout the year; the leaves will shrivel if the potting mix dries out. The bird's nest fern needs plenty of water in spring and summer, but keep the potting mix just moist in the winter months.

Fern Choices

Most, but not all, ferns like the moist conditions in a bathroom, so check individual plant labels before buying. Match your plants with smooth ceramic, glass or rust-proof metal containers that contrast well with the textured fronds.