How to care for your Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis')

Member

By kaubie279
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(10 Ratings)

Boston Fern

Boston ferns are popular plants used both inside and outside of many homes. This article will help you understand your ferns environmental requirements so you can have beautiful, healthy ferns year around.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

A fern
Water soluble fertilizer
Humidifier or misting spray bottle

Step 1

When considering locations to place your fern inside your home, consider which direction your windows face. Boston ferns like diffused light, and plenty of it, so place your ferns near a east or western facing window. If that is not a possibility, you can use artificial light to meet the plant's light requirements.
Step 2

Boston ferns grow best with cooler temperatures, so keep household temperature 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and slightly cooler in the evening.
Step 3

Water ferns when the soil has dried out visibly, but not completely dried. Distilled water is best and can be purchased at your local grocery store. If the foliage begins to fade in color, the soil is too dry, so it is best to avoid drying out to that extreme. Also be sure to avoid over-watering.
Step 4

In spring and summer, fertilize your Boston ferns once a month with a water soluble fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. Do not fertilize in cooler months.

Comments

scooter19 said

Flag This Comment

on 11/14/2009 Mine shed leaves all the time in winter--Sounds like from your info that it's not humid enough in my house....Maybe I'll try misting it every day and see if that works.

byork44 said

on 9/22/2009 Oh I forgot to mention that my Boston Fern is big and gorgeous right now. It brings many compliments and looks great in front of our porch. I want to keep it that way...so any word on weather I can leave it outside or must take it in the house would be very appreciated.

on 9/22/2009 I am in Oklahoma. I have a Boston Fern that was given to me in May of this year. It has been kept outside under some large trees and is very shaded with sunlight streaming through the limbs and leaves. My question is that it is now Sept and cooler weather is here. Do I need to take the Boston Fern in the house for the fall and winter months? I cannot seem to find an answer for this on any websites.