So sorry for the troubles you are going through. But I will say that it is irrational to give such power to a houseplant. The problem in your life have nothing to do with a fern.

Seek professional professional help....for yourself, not the fern. Take some big steps forward towards the light. Blessings on you.

Thanks for the reply but that's not what I'm looking for. I'm in 20 hrs a week of group and ind therapy to get to the underlying causes of my issues and I've made big strides in short times. The fern is purely a symbol of my journey and gives me a tangible thing I can look at as a reminder of what I've been/am going through. This is my last ditch effort to get through to my wife to show her good things can come from bad situations with the right love and support.....which she is NOT giving me. I appreciate your response but I'd appreciate more if we focus on the fern and whether it can be saved. Thank you.

A clearer picture might help, it's hard to see from here. Is it an indoor plant?

bigger pic

Looks like it has a few living fronds so it is possible that it will come back. I agree with the advice to give it more soil and cut it back, which you did. My ferns grow slowly so be patient and resist the temptation to overwater. The fern's roots will rot in soggy soil. It needs filtered light, don't let it get sunburned. Hopefully you will see new growth soon. Don't fertilize for at least a month because of it being in the potting mix. Once you get a respectable little fern going you could do a little quarter strength fertilizer.

Don't fixate on the fern as your only symbol of hope, my ferns tend to decline as it gets cooler then rebound as it gets warmer. Best case scenario is that itwill be half its original size by summer. Prolonged neglect takes a long time to recover from.

Thanks fishlady. This is exactly what I needed. If it's savable, I'm going to do it. It's keeping me motivated and focused. However, I just didn't know enough to know if it was savable. A few questions:

I didn't put peat moss in and everything I read said it would have helped. I'm afraid to take the fern out after it's been repotted just to add that. Should I not worry about the peat moss or would it be best to go back and mix it with the potting soil? Second - did I trim enough off of the dead ones or should it be cut closer to the soil? Thanks again!

Oh, I forgot to mention, I also bought a humidifier and have been running that since I was told ferns dry out during the winter indoors. I've kept the temp around 70 and down to about 65 degrees at night. I've also got it facing a north bound window that gets only indirect sunlight. I read that misting the existing fronds is a good idea. Should I do that even with the humidifier running? Thanks!

Bagged potting 'soils' ARE peat moss, with a few other ingredients (perlite, vermiculite, for example) added for improved porosity. You do not need to add any more.

Ferns can be very challenging to grow inside. Your images are very fuzzy, but this fern looks dead, to me. Or, at the very least, all of the existing fronds seem to be dead.

Cutting it all the way to the crown is a good first step. Do you know if it's ever been fertilized? If not, it would be worth while to do so. Potting medium does not have nutrients in it, unless it has been added by the manufacturer. It will be clearly labeled, if so.

Even if all of the fronds are deader than a door nail, ferns can regrow all new leaves as long as the root system isn't dead. Indoor ferns do best in a cool, bright room away from all drafts. Keep an eye out for scale insects....which may be part of the problem from the very beginning.

You guys are great people and I appreciate the help. My photos are crystal clear on my computer but are uploading fuzzy and grainy for some reason. I know my request was a little out there, but my wife and I are done in her eyes (she won't even talk to me). She doesn't think people can come back from the dead (metaphorically). I know things are worth saving if people are willing to put in the work. I'm putting in work and ABSOLUTELY am worth her giving another shot to. Proving that things and people deserve 2nd chances through this fern ( which symbolizes our marriage) is my line in the sand. It WILL rebound. If she chooses not to allow it back in her life, so be it. It won't be because of me though.

I am an experienced gardener, but I find it very difficult to keep ferns alive. We just can't duplicate their natural habitat. When I lived in the Pacific Northwest some things grew like weeds, but I finally had to give up trying to make them grow in the South. Take a frond to a good garden center and match it up...get a healthy one, and when it croaks get another. Your interest in gardening can be a great source of comfort and joy, so I encourage you to keep trying, but don't put too much emotion into one plant ...they do die on you, believe me. See if there are some garden clubs in your area and make some new gardening friends. Good luck!

I don't mist mine. I also wouldn't mess with the roots at this point, just let it try to recover. Remember, don't overwater. Hopefully you see new growth soon.

I don't mist mine. I also wouldn't mess with the roots at this point, just let it try to recover. Remember, don't overwater. Hopefully you see new growth soon.