The popularity of Boston ferns, which dates back to the Victorian era, has lasted until the present.
The ferns are a common sight onSouthern porches, their green or bluish-green fronds arching gracefully as they grow.
These tropical ferns require a frost-free climate to survive the winter.
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That’s why they are mostly grown indoors near a window with bright, indirect light.
Boston fern is often moved outdoors during the warm summer months.
With the right care, these last for years.
Their native habitat is in humid tropical forests and swamps.
They overwinter outside inUSDA Zones 10 to 12.
Gardeners in cooler climates usuallytreat them as annualsor bring them indoors in the fall.
Mimic the fern’s natural growing conditions as much as possible.
The right amount of light and moisture is key for the plant to thrive.
Light
Cool morning sun is ideal for Boston ferns.
They need at least a couple of hours of bright, filtered or indirect light each day.
Direct sun burns their fronds.
Water
Water the fern regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
One indicator that it’s time to water is when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Outdoor plants dry out much faster than houseplants, so adjust your watering as needed.
In hot summer weather, it may become necessary to water your fern in the morning and afternoon.
Avoid letting your fern dry out, or it may not recover.
Temperature And Humidity
Most homes are too dry for Boston ferns.
Keep the fern away from drafts and vents.
Fertilizer
Feed Boston ferns with abalanced houseplant fertilizerin spring and summer following the label instructions.
Pruning
Little pruning is needed, except to remove fronds that have lost their leaves or died.
Prune in spring or summer, or when you’re repotting the plant.
Don’t cut at the top but cut the side fronds or trim around the plant to shape it.
Water lightly and cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a plastic dome.
Keep it in bright, indirect light and maintain a temperature between 60 and 70F.
Remove the bag when you see new growth, take off the bag.
The other way to propagate Boston fern is by division when it has outgrown its pot.
Let the plant dry out slightly and remove it from its pot.
Cut the root ball into 1- to 2-inch sections.
Clip the roots to a length of 1 12 to 2 inches.
It is a lengthy and challenging process and is not recommended for home gardeners.
Potting And Repotting Boston Fern
Spring is the best time to pot or repot a Boston fern.
Use a pot with drainage holes that’s one size bigger than the previous pot.
Use freshpotting mixand fill the new pot to within 1 inch from the top.
Firm down the soil and water thoroughly.
Overwintering
To overwinter your fern, move it indoors when the temperatures drop below 55F.
Place it in a spot with bright, indirect light.
The fern needs less water in the winter but keeping the humidity up is key.
In the spring, cut off dead fronds and move the fern back outdoors.
Remove infected foliage to prevent the disease from spreading.
In case of a severe infection, treat the fern with neem oil or fungicides containing copper or phosphorus.
Treat persistent infestations with horticultural or neem oil weekly.
Increase the humidity level by placing the plant on a pebble tray filled with water or using a humidifier.
Brown Fronds
Too much sun scorches Boston ferns and the foliage tips turn brown.
Move the fern to a location with filtered, indirect light.
Excess fertilizer may also cause frond tips and edges to turn brown.
Repotting container-grown ferns in fresh potting mix is another method to fix an overfertilized fern.
Frequently Asked Questions
The frequency depends on how fast the soil dries out.
In a warm room or outdoors, watering three times a week might be necessary.
In a cooler environment, watering is required less frequently, even once a week might be sufficient.
Boston fern will only survive in a frost-free climate.
