Dry atmosphere and dry heat will make the delicate fronds wither and die. Good drainage must also be provided or the plant may drown. The most important thing you can do when you buy a fern is to do a little research. Next, you can go to your bookshelf or your library and read up on ferns and, especially, your fern. Watering One of the MOST important considerations in plant care is watering.
More plants die from overwatering than from any other cause.
With ferns watering considerations are even more important. Most ferns live either growing on rocks or trees or in very shallow soil. As a result, most ferns require a loose rapidly draining mix which requires them to be watered more often. Potted plants need good drainage holes. As a rule, ferns like to be moist, not wet.