Houseplant Tips: Can a Plastic Bag Revive a Wilting Fern?

This Problem

Few plants challenge a gardener's perseverance as much as ferns. One day they’re full of life; the next they look like tumbleweed left on a radiator. Fern fronds dry out at the first hint of dry air, and once they become discolored, many think it’s game over.

The Trick

Put the plant within a clear plastic bag – but leave it open as it still needs some airflow – and position it in bright but indirect light.

Indoor Plant Advice: what causes a chalky crust on my plant’s soil?

This Explanation

The bag forms a small greenhouse, capturing humidity around the plant. Consider it recreating the tropical environment – the moist mini-environment where ferns thrive. It doesn’t hydrate the plant for you, but it drastically slows down moisture loss and promotes delicate new fronds to open up.

The Test

I tried this technique on a common fern that seemed beyond saving. Following a week and a half in its misty cocoon the potting medium was still damp and small green curls started emerging. By the end of the month, the plant was noticeably thicker and more vibrant.

This Verdict

This is not a miracle cure and you may lose some fronds along the way, but the plastic bag method can genuinely save a fern near death. At no expense, it’s among the top successful revival techniques out there.