Information On Care For Boston Fern – Care Tips For A Boston Fern
The first thing you need to do for proper Boston fern care is to make sure that it’s in the right kind of environment. Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
For over a hundred years, Boston ferns have played a starring role inside and out of America homes. This voluptuous, easy-care, fern grows just as well on porches and patios as it does gracing your front hall or living room. Boston ferns graceful produce arching branches covered with soft, emerald-green fronds.
One reason that Boston fern is so popular is that it has a classic look that goes well with any architectural or decorating style, from lush and tropical to classical and elegant to comfy and bohemian. Hang some on your front porch and you’re sure to notice the plants instantly make your home seem more welcoming.
Indoors, Boston ferns will also help remove toxins such as toluene and xylene from the air.
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Boston Fern Growing Instructions
Like other ferns, Boston fern is relatively easy to grow indoors or out if you’re able to provide the right conditions.
Growing Boston Fern as a Houseplant
Indoors as a houseplant, Boston fern appreciates medium to bright light. Keep it out of direct sun, especially during the afternoon hours. While the plant can tolerate low-ish light conditions, it does best where it casts a soft shadow much of the day.
Water Boston fern as the potting mix starts to dry to the touch. How much and often that is depends on a variety of factors, including temperature and relative humidity levels. It’s best to probe the potting mix with your finger or a moisture meter to get a sense of whether your plant needs water.
Tip: The fronds will develop a dull cast and often look slightly blue green, rather than rich green, as it’s starting to dry out.
Like most ferns, Boston fern appreciates abundant relative humidity levels. In arid climates or homes that use a lot of air conditioning or forced-air heating, the plant will usually benefit from being grown under a large cloche, in a display case, or other conditions where you can boost moisture levels in its atmosphere.
Keep Boston fern away from heating or air-conditioning vents. The hot or cold drafty air can cause the fronds to go brown and dry prematurely.
Growing Boston Fern Outdoors
Outdoors, Boston fern does best in a spot with partial to full shade. That usually means all-day shade or a spot that get some morning sun, but is shaded during the hot afternoon hours.
Water Boston fern as the potting mix starts to dry. In especially hot or windy weather, that may mean daily waterings. In cool weather, Boston fern uses less moisture and doesn’t need watering as often. If it dries out too much, the fronds turn brown and crispy.
Outdoors, Boston ferns are winter hardy in Zones 10-12.
- Water Medium water needs
- Light Indoors: Medium light
- Colors Green
- Special Features Purifies the air Super-easy to grow
My Boston ferns often develop yellow leaflets that litter the floor. How can I stop them from doing that?
Boston ferns grow best in a humid atmosphere so mist them frequently to hydrate the foliage. Also, keep them away from heat ducts or radiators that might dry them out. And, keep the soil just slightly moist at all times. Boston ferns don’t like to sit in water, but don’t like to dry out completely either.
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Information On Care For Boston Fern – Care Tips For A Boston Fern
Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are popular houseplants and proper Boston fern care is essential to keeping this plant healthy. Learning how to take care of a Boston fern isn’t difficult, but it is specific. Below we have listed a few care tips for a Boston fern so that you can provide everything your fern needs to be happy and beautiful.
How to Take Care of a Boston Fern
The first thing you need to do for proper Boston fern care is to make sure that it’s in the right kind of environment. Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light.
When you care for Boston fern plants indoors, it’s a good idea to provide additional humidity for them, especially in the winter. Most homes are rather dry, even more when heaters are running. For extra humidity care for Boston fern, try setting your fern’s pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water. You can also try lightly misting your fern once or twice a week to help it get the humidity it needs.
Another step in how to take care of a Boston fern is to make sure that the fern’s soil remains damp. Dry soil is one of the number one reasons that Boston ferns die. Check the soil daily and make sure to give it some water if the soil feels at all dry. Since Boston ferns tend to be planted in potting mixtures that are high in peat moss, it is a good idea to soak the pot of the Boston fern once a month or so to make sure the peat moss is fully hydrated. Be sure to let it drain thoroughly after this.
Boston fern leaves will turn yellow if the humidity is not high enough. If your Boston fern’s fronds are turning yellow, make sure to increase the humidity around the plant
One of the lesser known care tips for a Boston fern is that they do not need much fertilizer. Fertilizer should only be given to the plant a few times a year.
Boston ferns are susceptible to some pests, especially spider mites and mealybugs. If your plant becomes infested, make sure to treat the plant as quickly as possible to keep it healthy.
Boston fern care is as simple as making sure that the plant is in the right environment. If you make sure that your fern is getting the right care, your plant will live for many years to come.