How to Fertilize Elkhorn Fern
When Should I Start Feeding My Elkhorn Fern?
Elkhorn Fern is hardy in zones 9a through 12b and, as a tropical epiphyte grown mostly indoors, its feeding season follows the natural increase in daylight during spring.
How Often Should I Fertilize My Elkhorn Fern?
During the growing season (spring through summer), feed every two to four weeks at quarter strength. If your fern is in bright indirect light and growing actively, lean toward every two weeks.
In early fall, stretch feedings to once a month. By late fall, stop entirely and let the plant rest through winter.
Browning frond tips are the first sign of fertilizer burn. If you see them, flush the root ball with plain water and skip the next two feedings.
What Is the Best Fertilizer for Elkhorn Fern?
Elkhorn Fern does best with a balanced liquid fertilizer like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 diluted to quarter strength. Ferns are extremely salt-sensitive, so full-strength feeding will brown the frond tips fast.
Liquid fertilizer is the best fit because Elkhorn Ferns are usually mounted or grown in baskets with very little soil. You can mix it into your watering can and soak the root ball, or mist it lightly onto the shield fronds where the roots collect nutrients naturally.
Avoid granular or slow-release fertilizers. They sit on the surface and can burn the roots of a mounted fern before they dissolve.
How Do I Fertilize My Elkhorn Fern?
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