How Should A Boston Fern Plant Be Maintained?

Boston ferns are a tropical accent plant that thrive in cool, humid environments with indirect light. They require consistent moist soil, bright light, and high humidity. To care for them, ensure they are in the right environment, either indoors or outdoors in a warm, frost-protected, and shaded spot.

To display your Boston fern, consider the size of the plant and keep the compost moist but not wet during spring and summer. Water when the top few centimeters of compost become dry in autumn. The plant requires shade to prevent pale yellowing and may die from indirect sunlight. Indoors, it needs bright, indirect light for at least 8 hours a day.

For best results, Boston ferns should be grown in rich soil or with regular fertilization every 4-6 weeks when actively growing. Use 50 garden soil, 20 sand, and 30 coco peat. Sunlight should be given at least 5 hours daily, with no bright and direct sunlight.

Boston ferns are perfect for porch plants, as they thrive in lots of indirect light, especially morning sun, as full afternoon sun can burn the fronds. Bob Vila’s guide to Boston fern care is a valuable resource for those looking to grow this tropical houseplant successfully.

Where is the best place to put a Boston fern?

Boston ferns can be grown indoors in bright, indirect sunlight, away from drafty doors and heating vents. To ensure consistent moisture, provide as much humidity as possible and monitor the soil. Place the plants on pebble trays filled with water, but avoid standing water. Use a humidifier or mist the plants with room-temperature tap water. To get the gorgeous blooms, cut back the plants if defoliation is extreme and allow them to re-grow. To start growing Boston ferns, visit product links for more information, purchase online, or find a retailer near you.

Why are the leaves on my Boston fern turning brown and falling off?

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) indoors may appear sparse in winter or early spring due to low humidity and excessive drying. The indoor environment may also be drafty or cold. To increase humidity, use a pebble tray with small, clean pebbles and add water to just below the top. As summer approaches, brighter light and warmer, more humid weather will bring more active growth, and new leaves should appear. Trim off brown parts during winter to maintain a healthy indoor environment. The plant can be grown in a pebble tray, which can be found in nurseries and fish stores.

How do I make my Boston fern happy?

Boston ferns are understory plants that thrive in partial shade. They require moist but not sodden soil, and if they go dormant, reduce watering and allow the soil to dry. Regular watering should resume in early spring. Boston ferns require high humidity and warm temperatures, so they can be placed near the bathroom or kitchen, or potted outside. They should maintain night temperatures of 65°F (18°C) and day temperatures of 95°F (358°C).

They need well-draining yet water-retentive soil or a soilless medium like peat and vermiculite. For best care, apply a slow-release or liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength every four-six weeks during the growing season.

Pruning Boston ferns is not necessary during the growing season, except to remove dead fronds. Once winter arrives and colder temperatures occur, they may begin to lose foliage. You can prune the plant during this time or wait until spring, just before new leaves appear. Prune the plant all the way down to the crown using clean shears.

Do Boston ferns do better inside or outside?

Boston ferns are low-maintenance plants that thrive both indoors and outdoors. They are best placed in a bathroom with indirect sunlight and in a hanging planter. To maintain proper indoor care, water the plant every 7-10 days, ensuring the soil is moist and drains through the holes. For outdoor care, check the top few inches of soil for moisture and adjust water accordingly. This plant’s graceful fronds cascade gracefully and can be placed in a hanging planter.

Should I cut brown leaves off Boston fern?

If you notice brown leaves at the bottom of your fern but the top is green, it’s normal and indicates good growth. Older leaves at the bottom will die off as new growth comes in. If you see brown leaves all over, it may be due to insufficient moisture. Ferns prefer lightly moist soil, so check them regularly and water if the soil feels dry. Use the finger dip test to determine if the fern needs a drink. If moisture is present, they are okay for now.

Humidity is crucial for ferns, as too dry air can cause them to go crispy. If the fern appears brown, try misting it more and see if it improves over the next few weeks. Place it in the bathroom for steam.

What does an overwatered Boston fern look like?

Overwatering a Boston fern can cause discoloration, softness, mushiness, drooping fronds, and a decaying soil odor. This issue can worsen if not addressed promptly. Boston ferns thrive in bright but indirect sunlight, so it’s best to keep them in a spot near a window with filtered or dappled sunlight. If caring for them outdoors, keep them out of direct sunlight and in partial shade on your patio or under some trees. It’s crucial to avoid watering them on a fixed schedule, as this can exacerbate the problem.

Do you water Boston ferns from top or bottom?

Watering Boston ferns from above or bottom is essential to prevent fungal issues and provide moisture without making the soil soggy. Top watering is best for fronds, while bottom watering ensures even soil moisture. Overwatering can cause discolored, soft leaves, mushy fronds, drooping fronds, and a decaying soil odor. It is crucial to take immediate action to prevent further damage. Misusing a fixed schedule for watering can lead to overwatering on a regular basis, indicating the plant is being overwatered. It is essential to remove the plant and ensure there is no water sitting in the tray.

Should I mist my Boston fern?

Boston Ferns thrive in medium and bright, indirect sunlight, but prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can burn and scorch their leaves. They require weekly watering sessions to keep their soil moist but not wet. To maintain a humid environment, mist them frequently, place them close to other plants, or use a partially filled pebble tray. They thrive in steamy bathrooms and kitchens, so it’s essential to allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings during winter.

Why is my Boston fern losing so many leaves?

Ferns may drop leaves due to various stressors, including underwatering, overwatering, low humidity, and temperature stress. To prevent root rot and leaf drop, ensure even soil moisture and frequent checks. Overwatering can cause root rot, so allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. If root rot is suspected, trim affected roots and repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Increase humidity by placing a tray of water near the plant, misting leaves regularly, or using a humidifier. Maintain a stable temperature between 60-75°F (15-24°C) and avoid cold drafts or heating vents.

Do Boston ferns like sun or shade?

Boston ferns, also known as sword ferns, are popular plants that grow up to two to three feet tall and wide, forming graceful green or bluish-green fronds. They can be grown on porches, in dappled shade, or potted near a bright, indirect light window. They can thrive in cooler climates, but are typically treated as annuals or brought indoors in the fall. Boston ferns require fast-draining soil with a pH of 5 to 5.

5 rich in organic materials and drainage holes in containers. They can overwinter outside in USDA Zones 10 to 12, but are typically treated as annuals or brought indoors in the fall. The right amount of moisture in the air and soil are key to their success.

How do you care for a Boston fern indoors?

Boston fern is a common ornamental plant that is commonly grown as a houseplant in cold climates. It is native to humid forests in northern South America, Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies, and can grow up to 7 feet tall. The plant, known as Boston fern ‘Bostoniensis’, is a natural variant of the species discovered in a large shipment of ferns sent from Philadelphia to Boston in 1894.

Nephrolepis exaltata is a tropical sword fern native to humid forests in northern South America, Mexico, Florida, and the West Indies. It is hardy in zones 9-11 and can be grown outdoors in mild climates. The plant has broad fronds with alternate leaflets (pinnae) on either side of the midrib, and can grow up to 4 feet long and 6 inches wide. The plant has erect fronds, while ‘Bostoniensis’ has gracefully arching fronds.

Boston fern can be used indoors as a houseplant or as a seasonal accent plant outside once frost is past. It can be grown in hanging baskets, raised containers, or on plant stands, providing a dramatic arching fountain of foliage. They can also be grown in the ground as upright accents among low annuals, combined with shade-loving coleus, browallia, caladium, and torenia, or as a tall tropical-looking ground cover.