The kangaroo fern is one of the more popular houseplants due to its wide variety of colors. The plant has a unique way of reproducing from spores that catch on the backside leaves and when they open, they release a cloud of spores in order to reproduce.
Although this particular species doesn’t need much light, it does prefer moist soil with high levels of humidity. This blog post will discuss how you can identify if your plant is dying and what steps you should take in order to save it!
So, why is your kangaroo fern dying?
The most common reason why your plant could be dying is due to overwatering. The kangaroo fern prefers moist soil, but also requires high levels of humidity. If you are constantly watering it and the leaves start to droop or turn brown, then you’re most likely over-watering your fern.
Not Enough Sunlight
Your kangaroo fern could be dying is because of too little sunlight. The plant needs about six hours a day in order to turn green and produce chlorophyll, which is what gives the plant its color. If you are not able to commit to those six hours every day then it would be best if you just got a different plant.
Too Much Sunlight
The kangaroo fern is also unable to grow in areas with too much sunlight. If you have a south or west-facing window and your plant is dying, then it would be best if you moved the plant closer towards an eastern-facing window where there’s less light so that they can live longer!
Too Cold
If it is too cold in your home then there is a chance that your kangaroo fern could be dying. The plant prefers temperatures of about 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit and if the temperature goes below 60 degrees, it will start to wither and die.
Too Hot
The last possible reason why you’re experiencing plant death is that it is too hot. The kangaroo fern prefers temperatures of about 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit and if the temperature goes higher than 85, it will start to wither and die.
Soil
The kangaroo fern prefers moist soil, but it also needs high levels of humidity. If your plant’s leaves are drooping or turning brown then you’re likely over-watering the plant and should increase the amount of time between watering sessions by about 20%. You can also keep a small dish filled with pebbles and water by the plant to increase levels of humidity.
Fertilizer
The kangaroo fern doesn’t need much light, but it does prefer moist soil with high levels of humidity. If you are going to fertilize your plant then using a fertilizer like spaghnum & liquid seaweed is always recommended.
Temperature
Once you have identified why your kangaroo fern is dying, there are steps that you should take in order to save it. Remember, if the plant has been overwatered or not exposed to enough light for a long period of time then we recommend repotting with fresh soil and adding more fertilizer. If the plant is too cold or hot then we recommend moving the plant closer to a window with less light.
Pests and Diseases
It is also important to mention that if your plant has any pests or diseases, then you should take care of them before they spread. The most common pest for the kangaroo fern is mealybugs and ants!
What Are Mealy Bugs?
Mealybugs are small pests that look like cotton balls and they will usually start to infest your plant. They feed on the sap of plants, which causes leaves to wither and die from lack of nutrients. If you happen to find mealy bugs then it is important that you take care of them because if left untreated then they can reproduce and infect more plants.
How Ants Can Kill Your Fern
Ants can also be a problem because they will feed on the roots of your plant, which causes it to shrivel up from lack of nutrients. The most common type of ants that you might find around your house are sugar ants. If you want to get rid of them then you should spray them with a mixture of water and dish soap.
How do you take care of a Kangaroo Fern?
Steps to take care of a kangaroo fern:
- If it is too cold then move the plant closer towards an eastern-facing window.
- Repot your kangaroo fern with fresh soil and add more fertilizer if it has been overwatered or not exposed to enough light for long periods of time.
- Take care of any pests or diseases that you might have.
- If all else fails, get a new kangaroo fern!
- And remember, if the plant has been overwatered then we recommend repotting with fresh soil and adding more fertilizer.
How do you repot a Kangaroo Fern?
If your kangaroo fern is dying then the first step to take when repotting would be giving it fresh dirt. For plants that have been overwatered, you should also add fertilizer in order to give back some of what has been lost. It is important to make sure there are air holes on the bottom of the pot and that the dirt has been mixed with sand or perlite. Water the plant and make sure there is always a dish of water by it to increase humidity levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kangaroo Ferns
Q: How do I know when it is time to repot my Kangaroo Fern?
A: It’s difficult to say exactly how often you should be repotting your kangaroo fern because everyone has different schedules and plants grow at different rates. The most important thing that you can do for your plant provides it with enough light, water, and nutrients to keep it healthy.
If the plant is drooping or turning brown then you’re likely over-watering your houseplant so it should be watered less often. You can also fertilize with a product like spaghnum & liquid seaweed for more growing power!
Q: How do I repot my kangaroo fern?
A: The first step of repotting your kangaroo fern is to give it fresh dirt. For plants that have been overwatered, you should also add fertilizer in order to give back some of what has been lost. It’s important there are air holes at the bottom of the pot and that the dirt has been mixed with sand or perlite.
Q: My kangaroo fern has ants all over it what should I do?
A: Ants can be a problem because they will feed on the roots of your plant, which can make it shrivel up from lack of nutrients. The most common type that you might find around your house are sugar ants and if this is the case then you should try to spray them with a mixture of water and dish soap.
