what can i seriously do for her???
she was so beautiful and lush and now for awhile shes been dry and colorless โน๏ธ i mist her 2x a day, and i moved her to a more shaded spot because the sun comes out more now. #PeacockFern #SelaginellaUncinata #PeacockMoss #help #PlantAddict
5ft to light, indirect
5โ pot with drainage
Last watered 1 year ago
22
Best Answer
@liv91109 hi and welcome to Greg: Peacock ferns are fussy little things. They're not your average houseplant. While theyโre pretty to look at, with their lacy, blue-green fronds, theyโre also high-maintenance drama queens.
The biggest thing this plant wants is humidity. Think of a tropical rainforest โ thatโs its happy place. Dry air is its mortal enemy. Youโll probably need to do things you donโt usually do for other plants, like misting it regularly or using a humidifier (more on this belowh Itโs like having a tiny rainforest in your living room.
Another thing to watch is the soil. It should be consistently moist, but not soaking wet. This is a tricky balance because if it dries out, the fern will look sad real quick. And if itโs too wet, it can rot.
Light is important too, but itโs a Goldilocks situation โ not too much, not too little. Bright, indirect light is best. Direct sunlight is a no-no, itโll burn those delicate fronds.
Now, if you mess up, this plant will let you know. Itโll start to look brown and crispy. If you donโt fix it fast, it can go downhill fast. Like really fast.
When you scroll down in the Greg app it should give you a green or red flag about the light. What does it say about where you have it.
I doubt misting the plant, alone will ever suffice for augmenting the humidity if it is itโs not already humid in your house. I personally never recommend misting to someone because itโs just a momentary bandaid. If youโre driving the plant home from the shop in a hot car, yea misting will probably help. Mist away. But once at home if your humidity is not already sufficient, no amount of misting will get it there unless itโs part of a climate control setup. To help you out, you might want to get a humidity meter. That way, you can keep an eye on the air around your plant. If your humidity is consistently below 50%, a terrarium or at least a humidifier would be necessary. A humidifier should be sufficient but the terrarium may be the way to go if youโre risk averse. These plants like higher humidity in a 60-70% humidity range which can be impractical unless in an enclosed situation like a cloche. Also, unlike many other houseplants, these ferns require consistently moist soil. self-watering planter can also be helpful, but make sure you are well-versed in how to set them up properly.
Hereโs an action plan to see if you can revive the plant.
You want to focus on the humidity in the air, the substrate, moisture content, and ensuring the plant otherwise gets sufficient light in all other conditions are optimal
Given the condition condition of your plant, Iโm going to presume that the humidity in the environment, itโs been in insufficient. The only way to bring it up to where it needs to be either put it in a terrarium or a cloche to use room humidifier. Itโs unlikely that anything short of these two options will carry the day but do whatever you can to try and increase the humidity for the plant.
Next, check the substrate using your your finger and go an inch down into the substrate and see whether itโs dried to touch if it is, you want to water the plant observe whether it repels water or actually retaining water and eventually drains out if itโs repelling water itโs hydrophobic and that would definitely explain what went wrong with the plant but thatโs kind of a drastic occurrence. If it repels water youโll need to remedy that which takes a special step which Iโm happy to explain to you if thatโs the case
You have a a profile for your plant because Gregg does a lot of the work for your plant care for you. Make sure itโs fully populated see what itโs insight says about your light levels and remember that when using Gregg to help water your plant there is a learning curve, but Gregg is more like a fail safe than anything. Donโt wait until Greg tells you to water the plant. With this plant youโre going to want to check every day for a while. But usually with Greg youโll want to check it yourself before Greg says itโs time to water. Because it the substrate is dry, itโs time to water and you mark that you watered the plant in the app even if itโs ahead of schedule. Greg learns and adapts.
I donโt know how long this might go on but itโs like being in the icu. Sometimes plants fight on and itโs amazing when you can accomplish this. Good luck !
The biggest thing this plant wants is humidity. Think of a tropical rainforest โ thatโs its happy place. Dry air is its mortal enemy. Youโll probably need to do things you donโt usually do for other plants, like misting it regularly or using a humidifier (more on this belowh Itโs like having a tiny rainforest in your living room.
Another thing to watch is the soil. It should be consistently moist, but not soaking wet. This is a tricky balance because if it dries out, the fern will look sad real quick. And if itโs too wet, it can rot.
Light is important too, but itโs a Goldilocks situation โ not too much, not too little. Bright, indirect light is best. Direct sunlight is a no-no, itโll burn those delicate fronds.
Now, if you mess up, this plant will let you know. Itโll start to look brown and crispy. If you donโt fix it fast, it can go downhill fast. Like really fast.
When you scroll down in the Greg app it should give you a green or red flag about the light. What does it say about where you have it.
I doubt misting the plant, alone will ever suffice for augmenting the humidity if it is itโs not already humid in your house. I personally never recommend misting to someone because itโs just a momentary bandaid. If youโre driving the plant home from the shop in a hot car, yea misting will probably help. Mist away. But once at home if your humidity is not already sufficient, no amount of misting will get it there unless itโs part of a climate control setup. To help you out, you might want to get a humidity meter. That way, you can keep an eye on the air around your plant. If your humidity is consistently below 50%, a terrarium or at least a humidifier would be necessary. A humidifier should be sufficient but the terrarium may be the way to go if youโre risk averse. These plants like higher humidity in a 60-70% humidity range which can be impractical unless in an enclosed situation like a cloche. Also, unlike many other houseplants, these ferns require consistently moist soil. self-watering planter can also be helpful, but make sure you are well-versed in how to set them up properly.
Hereโs an action plan to see if you can revive the plant.
You want to focus on the humidity in the air, the substrate, moisture content, and ensuring the plant otherwise gets sufficient light in all other conditions are optimal
Given the condition condition of your plant, Iโm going to presume that the humidity in the environment, itโs been in insufficient. The only way to bring it up to where it needs to be either put it in a terrarium or a cloche to use room humidifier. Itโs unlikely that anything short of these two options will carry the day but do whatever you can to try and increase the humidity for the plant.
Next, check the substrate using your your finger and go an inch down into the substrate and see whether itโs dried to touch if it is, you want to water the plant observe whether it repels water or actually retaining water and eventually drains out if itโs repelling water itโs hydrophobic and that would definitely explain what went wrong with the plant but thatโs kind of a drastic occurrence. If it repels water youโll need to remedy that which takes a special step which Iโm happy to explain to you if thatโs the case
You have a a profile for your plant because Gregg does a lot of the work for your plant care for you. Make sure itโs fully populated see what itโs insight says about your light levels and remember that when using Gregg to help water your plant there is a learning curve, but Gregg is more like a fail safe than anything. Donโt wait until Greg tells you to water the plant. With this plant youโre going to want to check every day for a while. But usually with Greg youโll want to check it yourself before Greg says itโs time to water. Because it the substrate is dry, itโs time to water and you mark that you watered the plant in the app even if itโs ahead of schedule. Greg learns and adapts.
I donโt know how long this might go on but itโs like being in the icu. Sometimes plants fight on and itโs amazing when you can accomplish this. Good luck !
Man, ferns are so tricky for me. I love them but theyโre very particular about their environment (looove humidityโthink Pacific Northwest) and will dry up and turn to dust when that balance gets thrown off even a little bit. My guess is that while yours was getting enough humidity, maybe the heat was too much for it, even if it was just radiating heat from being close to a window, and theyโre not great with direct sun either. Indirect is good, but theyโll scorch quickly if youโre not careful with direct sunlight. They can also be persnickety about fragrances in the air, like from candles, air fresheners, and bath bombs/oils etcโฆ
@liv91109 I do not have this type of fern, but reading up on this plant they like cooler conditions and humidity. My thinking is - inside bright indirect light on a pebble tray filled with water and misting every 3 days per article. They like moist soil but not overly wet. I might would suggest a self watering wick pot. To keep it consistent moisture. And near a humidifier. My two cents.. ๐๐ป๐ฅด๐
I agree with the information @TexanExpat gave you- I just want to add that terracotta wicks away moisture from the soil. I keep many of my ferns in self-watering pots or violet pots to keep the soil evenly moist.
Spraying or misting is fun for some people, but in the long run, it can cause issues for a plant. A terrarium or a humidifier on a timer is your best bet. Another option would be a pebble tray if you cannot provide a terrarium or a humidifier. ๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
Spraying or misting is fun for some people, but in the long run, it can cause issues for a plant. A terrarium or a humidifier on a timer is your best bet. Another option would be a pebble tray if you cannot provide a terrarium or a humidifier. ๏ฟผ๏ฟผ
@HisLobster okay, this makes senseโฆ its been hotter here in Bellingham, WA and i do burn candles ๐
@sarah10orio i can do the terrarium and humidifier. can a humidifier cause problems for my other plants?
@liv91109 @sarah10orio I will just speak for myself here but misting plants makes them susceptible to disease. Wet foliage is a necessary precondition for many pathogens. Fungal spores need wet foliage to physically attach to a leaf. Excuse my French here, but misting your plants literally is like peeing in the wind. lol. Itโs just gonna make a mess lol.
@liv91109
Hi Olivia. Everyone here has provided great advice. The one thing I've done to keep the rainbow moss (peacock fern) blue, green, and silver is to keep her in my kitchen. There's no direct A/C or fan in there - but it's quite cool. (About 68ยฐ). I read somewhere they're from the cooler forests of Asia. I'm considering a humidifier, but I'm concerned about adding too much moisture into my home during the hot summer months. I, therefore, manually mist. I check the soil - I've haven't had to water it because manual misting does that for me. I concentrate on the tendrils. This may help you.....your plant is neither a fern nor a moss...so there's nothing to fear on that front. You still have lots of green in your 2nd photo - so she should be okay. If that is real terracotta, it needs to be in plastic. Seems all she needs is humidity (you can mist) and very cool temps without being hit by a draft from a fan or A/C. How about a hanging pot?
Hi Olivia. Everyone here has provided great advice. The one thing I've done to keep the rainbow moss (peacock fern) blue, green, and silver is to keep her in my kitchen. There's no direct A/C or fan in there - but it's quite cool. (About 68ยฐ). I read somewhere they're from the cooler forests of Asia. I'm considering a humidifier, but I'm concerned about adding too much moisture into my home during the hot summer months. I, therefore, manually mist. I check the soil - I've haven't had to water it because manual misting does that for me. I concentrate on the tendrils. This may help you.....your plant is neither a fern nor a moss...so there's nothing to fear on that front. You still have lots of green in your 2nd photo - so she should be okay. If that is real terracotta, it needs to be in plastic. Seems all she needs is humidity (you can mist) and very cool temps without being hit by a draft from a fan or A/C. How about a hanging pot?
@TexanExpat
Not all plants suffer from misting. If I fail to mist my Asparagus Fern..it will turn yellow. Although this peacock fern is not an actual fern, it needs those water droplets on its "foliage" to keep its renowned colors. Perhaps it depends on where you live?
Not all plants suffer from misting. If I fail to mist my Asparagus Fern..it will turn yellow. Although this peacock fern is not an actual fern, it needs those water droplets on its "foliage" to keep its renowned colors. Perhaps it depends on where you live?
@plantstate i could try hanging. she lives in my bedroom right now, on a nightstand about 12 feet from northwest and west facing windows. i have hangers on my ceiling i could use. i have an air vent on the ceiling very far from where she is right now
@liv91109
I believe we once talked about this. Everything I play with rainbows tendrils while misting, one or two may fall off. I have a plastic container I put sphagnum moss and dampened it with water. I place the tendrils on the moss which can be laid on soil (covered a bit) to create new babies. Here's my container which I left in the direct path of a fan ๐คจ. Anyway..I'm starting again. Let me link a prop article for you next.
I believe we once talked about this. Everything I play with rainbows tendrils while misting, one or two may fall off. I have a plastic container I put sphagnum moss and dampened it with water. I place the tendrils on the moss which can be laid on soil (covered a bit) to create new babies. Here's my container which I left in the direct path of a fan ๐คจ. Anyway..I'm starting again. Let me link a prop article for you next.
@liv91109
This one hits home for me. I have never watered my rainbow. Misting her (heavy on the tendrils and lightly on the top, have allowed some of those droplets to fall onto the soil. ๐ฒ
This one hits home for me. I have never watered my rainbow. Misting her (heavy on the tendrils and lightly on the top, have allowed some of those droplets to fall onto the soil. ๐ฒ
@plantstate for plants that come from very highly humid native conditions, I think there is no substitute for trying to make the air quality closely mimic those conditions as possible. Running a humidifier actually increases the amount of water vapor in the air, much like humid tropical areas. A cloche which encloses a plant achieves more water vapor in the air since water does not escape and water vapor form transpiration stays in there. By contrast Misting involves spraying water onto the plantโs leaves to temporarily increase humidity around the plant. While this can provide a short-term boost in humidity, the effect is often fleeting. The water droplets evaporate quickly, especially in a dry environment, which means the humidity level around the plant doesnโt stay elevated for long. Misting also doesnโt significantly increase the overall humidity in the room. I live in San Antonio, a subtropical climate. Sometimes it is very humid here. Sometimes it can be dry. Based on my experience here, I donโt recommend people mist because it is no substitute for a humidifier or cloche. It might give someone a false impression I feel I did. The garden centers like to sell asparagus fern here. This plant has hardly any surface area and itโs on its foliage and the inside backlit tissue is very fine. This makes it vulnerable to dehydration than plants with more lush foliage. With so little surface area I imagine it is less vulnerable to fungal infections landing on its wet leaves. By contrast a philodendron is a sitting duck. For any plant I would say try a humidifier or a cloche over misting, however you are saying misting works for you and I note that an asparagus fern is distinctly situated to avoid the risk of disease given the shape of its foliage and how it must dry very quickly too. I do wonder whether the plant may need more moisture retention in the soil and that it gets yellow if you donโt mist it because the substrate isnโt hydrating it sufficiently. But if you and the plant have a plan that works I would stick with that instead of tinkering. Thx for your observation
@TexanExpat @liv91109
I understand the misting/humidifier difference. For someone with 2 or 3 humidity loving plants a humidifier just may prove harmful the the other non tropical plants that live here.
Liv...That bedroom idea may be a great plan. You can take it into the bathtub to mist. Remember....heavily mist the tendrils and go easy on the top. Keep us posted.
I understand the misting/humidifier difference. For someone with 2 or 3 humidity loving plants a humidifier just may prove harmful the the other non tropical plants that live here.
Liv...That bedroom idea may be a great plan. You can take it into the bathtub to mist. Remember....heavily mist the tendrils and go easy on the top. Keep us posted.
@plantstate had a more experienced plant person help me put her in a terrarium (dont worry, i will get a bigger one eventually.) i hope she does better!
