Well, talkin’ about ferns and cold weather, it’s like this. Ferns, you see, they ain’t all the same. Some of them ferns can handle a bit of cold, but most of ’em, they start sufferin’ when it gets too chilly. Now, the lowest temperature a fern can handle depends a lot on what kind of fern we’re talkin’ about.
Most ferns, if you ask me, they don’t like it when the temperature dips below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Below that, they start to lose their leaves, but don’t worry, once it gets warm again, them leaves might just grow back. If the cold doesn’t stick around too long, they can survive and keep on growin’. But if it’s a hard freeze, like the kinda cold that goes deep into the roots, then, well, that’s another story. A real cold snap can damage the roots, and then that poor fern ain’t comin’ back.
Now, there’s them Boston ferns, and they’re a bit tougher. If they’re planted in the ground, where the soil can help keep their roots warm, they might survive temps down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. But that’s not always the case if you’ve got ’em sittin’ in pots. Pots, you see, they don’t have the soil around ’em to keep ’em warm, so those ferns might freeze up quicker.
Some ferns, though, especially the ones in the Arctic or way down in the Antarctic, they’re a different breed altogether. Those tough fellas can handle temps as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. But those are rare. Most folks don’t have those kinds growin’ in their backyards. If you’re lucky to have them in a real cold place, good on ya, but most ferns, they just ain’t built for that kinda cold.
If you live in a cold climate, you might be askin’ yourself, “What should I do with my ferns when winter comes knockin’?” Well, best thing is to bring ’em inside if you can. Even a little frost, like around 41 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, can mess up them fronds real bad. I’ve heard stories of folks leavin’ their Boston ferns out a little too long, and once that frost hits, it’s over for them pretty leaves. They’ll get all brown and crispy.
But here’s the thing, if you’re keepin’ ferns outside, especially in pots, you gotta watch that weather close. Once you see that forecast droppin’ below 50 degrees, it’s time to act. Bring ’em in or cover ’em up. Don’t be lettin’ the cold take hold, or you’ll be lookin’ at a whole lotta dead fronds come spring.
And another thing, if you’re lookin’ to plant ferns in the yard and you know it gets mighty cold where you live, make sure you’re pickin’ the right ferns. Some ferns can survive cold temps, like down to USDA Hardiness Zone 4, where it can drop to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. But most of ’em, especially them tropical types, they’ll struggle if it gets anywhere near freezing.
So, to sum it up, most ferns can handle a little chill, but once it gets below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re riskin’ their lives. Unless you got one of them rare, cold-lovin’ ferns, don’t be expectin’ your plants to survive if the temps get too low. Keep ’em warm, keep ’em safe, and they’ll keep on growin’ year after year.
Tags： [ferns, temperature tolerance, Boston fern, frost damage, cold climate, USDA Hardiness Zone]
