Selaginella kraussiana "Variegatus" – better known as Frosty Fern – is a popular Christmas plant due to its neutral yet pleasing appearance and its relatively easy care instructions. If you are looking for a pleasant looking plant for the holidays – or even year-round – a mini Frosty Fern is what you need: its smaller size makes it perfect for tiny planters and cute pots. The following guide will help you take the best possible care of your mini Frosty Fern!
Soil, Water And Food Needs
Mini Frosty Fern likes to stay moist – never let it dry out. This plant thrives when the soil pH level is kept between 5.5 and 6.
Regularly check the soil of your mini plant: if it feels almost dry on the top, then it's time to water it. You may need to water the plant even a few times a week if your room has particularly low humidity.
Use a 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 liquid organic fertilizer – dilute it with a ratio of 1/4 tsp fertilizer per 1 quart of water. Avoid fertilizing when the tips of the fronds are white.
Light Requirements
Frosty Fern does best when grown in indirect lighting conditions.
Make sure not to place your mini Frosty Fern in bright direct sunlight during the hot summer months, as this can quickly kill the plant. This plant can tolerate only early morning and very late afternoon light: if it receives too much light, it will wilt within a few hours.
Frosty Fern usually doesn't need any artificial light, as it does fine even in a shady spot. If you notice that your plant is not getting enough light, you can consider moving it to a window or area of the home that gets slightly more light, and the issue should resolve itself.
Trimming
You might want to remove foliage that has faded in color to keep the plant looking fresh.
You can also choose to trim or fully remove any leaves that grow too messily, as this can happen during growing months.
To remove unwanted foliage, use sharp scissors to snip them off; but be careful not to prune your mini Frosty Fern too much as this can damage the plant.
Fall And Winter Care
Like most indoor plants, you will need to adjust your care guidelines in the fall and winter months so that your Frosty Fern continues to thrive despite the change in seasons.
Once fall weather sets in, begin to reduce your watering amount by about 1/2.
You will also need to keep light track of the humidity to make sure that your plant does not dry out too much.
Humidity should be about 50% or above in order to prevent wilted and brown lives. You can easily keep the moisture at adequate levels by misting your plants with distilled water once a day, by using a humidifier or a humidity tray.
Common Problems
For the most part, mini Frosty Fern is not prone to problems like disease or infestations.
You might experience issues if your plant is exposed to temperature swings, direct sunlight, or low humidity. Check for symptoms such as limp foliage, dried out or browned leaves, or yellow leaves – all of these indicate dryness or sunburn. To solve this problem, move the plant to a shaded area and water them regularly while you wait for them to regain their former luster.
Another issue to watch for is fungal growth; this typically occurs if the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, which shouldn't be a problem for plants kept indoors.
Remember
Mini Frosty Fern is a relatively hardy plant, as long as you grow it in mild temperatures, where it doesn’t receive too much sunlight, and with soil that isn’t allowed to dry out.
Since this plant isn’t prone to problems such as pest infestations or plant diseases, you don’t need to worry about constant pest or disease prevention.
Frosty Fern makes a lovely gift or home decoration for Christmas time!