Broad Beech Fern

About Broad Beech Fern

Broad Beech Fern is a native fern that prefers moist, rich, well-drained, acidic soils in partial to deep shade. It can sometimes be found in sunny open areas with dry or semi-moist soil. The deciduous leaves are produced directly from the shallow rhizomes in spring. The fronds of this plant are 10-30" long and spread out in rows or loose clusters.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Genus

Phegopteris

Family

Thelypteridaceae

Order

Polypodiales

How to care for Broad Beech Fern

💦 Water

How often to water your Broad Beech Fern

Broad Beech Fern needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Broad Beech Fern in your home

Broad Beech Fern may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Broad Beech Fern in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Broad Beech Fern

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Broad Beech Fern: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Broad Beech Fern after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Broad Beech Fern is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

💦 Water Needs

Broad Beech Fern prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Broad Beech Fern may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.

🪴 Soil

Broad Beech Fern does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

💩 Fertilizer

Broad Beech Fern should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Broad Beech Fern grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Broad Beech Fern can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🌱 Propagation

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.