Japanese painted ferns can be propagated by division or by growing from spores.
Division
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil around the fern with water.
- Dig up the fern: Carefully dig around the fern and lift the root ball out of the soil.
- Separate the root ball: Use sharp gardening shears to divide the root ball into sections. Each section should have a few fronds and a good amount of roots.
- Replant the sections: Plant each section in a new location at the same depth. You can plant them in pots or in the ground.
- Water: Water the sections thoroughly to settle the soil.
- Provide shade: For the first few weeks, provide partial shade to help the ferns establish.
Spores
- Collect spores: Cut a frond and place it spore-side down on a sheet of waxed paper.
- Prepare the potting mix: Heat some slightly moist potting mix in a microwave until it steams.
- Plant the spores: Put the potting mix in a container and sprinkle the spores on top.
- Provide moisture: Keep the potting mix moist.
- Wait for new growth: Small green plants should appear in a month or two.
You can also propagate Japanese painted ferns by tissue culture, but this requires sterile conditions.