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This Problem

Few plants test a gardener's perseverance like ferns. At one moment they’re full of life; the next they look similar to tumbleweed left on a heater. Fern leaves dry out at the first hint of dry air, and once they turn brown, many assume it’s the end.

This Hack

Put the plant inside a clear plastic bag – but leave it open as it still needs air circulation – and set it in bright but indirect light.

Indoor Plant Clinic: why is there a chalky crust on my potting mix?

This Explanation

The bag forms a mini terrarium, trapping moisture around the plant. Consider it mimicking the tropical environment – the moist microclimate where ferns thrive. It doesn’t hydrate the plant for you, but it significantly reduces moisture loss and encourages fragile new fronds to open up.

The Test

I tried this trick on a Boston fern that seemed past recovery. Following a week and a half in its misty cocoon the potting medium was moist to the touch and small green curls began to appear. By the end of the month, the plant was visibly thicker and greener.

This Verdict

This isn’t a miracle cure and you may lose some fronds during the process, but the plastic bag method can truly save a fern on the brink. At no expense, it’s among the top successful revival techniques available.