Plant guide:ðŸŒŋ Fern
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Growth

Cold Damage on Ferns

Commonly affects: Various ferns (Polypodiopsida)

Fronds develop translucent, water-soaked patches that turn brown or black after cold exposure, often near a drafty window in winter.

Potential Causes

  1. 1Cold drafts from a nearby window, door, or air conditioning vent
  2. 2Most common houseplant ferns being of tropical or subtropical origin and sensitive to temperatures below 10-13°C
  3. 3Fronds touching cold window glass in winter

Solution Steps

  1. 1Move the plant away from cold drafts, windows, and vents, especially in winter
  2. 2Keep fronds from touching cold glass directly
  3. 3Trim away severely damaged fronds once the danger has passed
  4. 4Maintain a consistent, warm location year-round

Prevention Tip

Even a brief brush against cold window glass on a winter night can damage fern fronds — keep plants a few centimetres clear of the glass.

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