Q&A: Browning on Ferns

Q: The leaf edges on my maidenhair fern are getting brown. I've been keeping it moist. What's going wrong?

A: Browning tips are fairly common on many ferns. When leaves brown around the edges, the problem is often salt burn. Salts in the water and in fertilizer build up over time. Browning usually occurs on the old leaves first. The excess salt accumulates in the leaf edges, where it kills the tissue and the leaf dries out and turns brown. It's important to water deeply and slowly. At least once a month, water deeply enough to "leach" or push salts well below the root zone. Frequent, light "sprinklings" allow salts to accumulate in the top layers of soil, where the roots are. Similar symptoms occur when too much fertilizer has been applied. Always water plants thoroughly before and after applying fertilizer to help prevent burn. If you haven't been fertilizing, the problem could lie in the water itself: high mineral content. Also, if maidenhair ferns receive too much direct sunlight, foliage can yellow and then turn brown. Ferns do better with increased humidity. Set the pot on top of pebbles in a shallow tray of water to keep the water from soaking into the pot. Good luck!

— National Gardening Association