---
title: "How to Water Ferns for Healthy Growth"
description: "Ferns love moisture but not soggy roots. Learn how to properly water them using top watering, bottom watering, or a water bath for healthy growth."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/watering/fern"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:34.048Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T10:17:50.476Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/MKmEt3cbT-uR4C4DAHtAkQ.webp?size=large"
---

# How to Water Ferns for Healthy Growth

## How to water

Ferns love water and do not like to dry out. Feel the top soil, it should be moist but not wet when watering it again. Squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers - if water seeps out it’s still wet. There are several ways to water your fern. Choose a way that suits you the best.

**If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.**

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/MKmEt3cbT-uR4C4DAHtAkQ.webp?size=large)

## Water over the soil

1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap
2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes
3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water
4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

> Even if Ferns love water, they usually don’t like to have their roots standing in water all the time, so make sure your plant is planted in a pot with holes.  
> — Planta tip

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/B8qgbVi8S0iI0L7DkVCB4Q.webp?size=large)

## Bottom watering

1. Fill the plant tray with water
2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray
3. Wait for about 10 minutes
4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray
5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray
6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

### Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

## Water bath

1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water
2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water
3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped
4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off
5. Put your fern back in the cachepot or on the tray
6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

> Ferns love the perfect balance between wet and dry soil. They don’t like to dry out and they don’t want to be overwatered, at least not all the time.  
> — PLANTA PRO TIP

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How do I know when my fern needs water?

Feel the topsoil; it should be moist but not wet. If water seeps out when you squeeze the soil, it is still too wet and does not need watering yet.

### Should ferns sit in water after watering?

No, ferns generally do not like their roots standing in water all the time. Always remove any collected water from trays or cachepots to prevent overwatering and rot.

### What is the purpose of bottom watering a fern?

Bottom watering allows the soil to absorb water from the tray, ensuring even moisture. However, remember to also water over the soil occasionally to wash away salts and minerals.

### How do I give my fern a water bath?

Fill a vessel with lukewarm water and lower the entire pot into it until the soil is submerged. Wait until bubbling stops, then lift the pot and let the excess water drain off before returning it.

## How to Water Ferns (Top Watering Method)

1. Pour water over the soil, using a watering can or placing the plant directly under a tap.
2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.
3. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure to remove all the collected water afterwards to prevent the plant from sitting in water.

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