My neighbor's tip about repotting saved 14 of my ferns

Last month, my neighbor Carol saw me struggling with drooping Boston ferns and told me to stop watering them every day and instead check the soil with my finger up to the second knuckle. I thought she was crazy because the leaves looked bone dry, but turns out I was drowning the roots. I switched to her method and now 14 out of 15 ferns perked back up within a week. Has anyone else been overwatering because they trust the leaf look instead of the soil?

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grace_bailey18d ago

Ferns are literally rainforest plants, they live in constantly wet environments. Checking the soil with your finger is fine for succulents or snake plants, but for ferns the leaves ARE the indicator. Dry crispy fronds mean the plant is screaming for water. Your neighbor's method might work for the first week because you shocked them into dormancy mode, but you're going to end up with 14 dead ferns by next month when they get root rot from the sudden change. I've kept ferns alive for years and I water them every single day, sometimes twice if it's hot. The top inch of soil dries out so fast in a pot that your finger test will always tell you they need nothing when they actually need everything. Your drooping leaves were probably from underwatering before Carol got in your head.