How to Trim a Boston Fern
There are over 50 varieties of Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). Boston fern, also known as sword fern, comes in many different sizes and shapes. Some are small and compact, while others are full and draping. Common varieties include macho fern, green wave, fluffy duffy, kangaroo fern, Dallas fern and Kimberly queen. Boston ferns are drought and disease resistant and with a little tender care are welcomed decorating accents for the home or garden.
Trim ferns to maintain their vigor and form.
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Instructions
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Look at the leaves. New leaves crowd out and shade older leaves which need to be pinched or trimmed when they have turned brown. Use clean, sharpened small pruning shears or scissors.
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Provide plenty of filtered sunlight and turn the plant regularly to promote even growth. Trim to maintain shape. Try not to touch the leaves with your fingers; this may cause brown spots to form.
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Keep your ferns warm. They prefer temperatures between 65 and 95 degrees F and like a humid environment. Ferns that have browned or dried at the tips can be cut off at the base and they will regrow with regular watering. Boston ferns are quite resilient and respond well to a severe pruning.
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Place the fern on a stand that is sitting on top of a tarp or old sheet to catch the cuttings. Cutting and trimming your ferns is a rather messy job and the sheet will help with an easy clean-up.
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Tips & Warnings
When your Boston fern has outgrown its container, you may dramatically trim back the plant and divide the root mass with a sharp knife into several new plants. Pot in a nutrient-rich, well drained soil.
Tuberous sword fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia) a non-native plant similar to Boston fern, is considered a noxious and invasive weed in parts of the southeastern portion of the United States.
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Comments
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Missy Moore
Feb 08, 2011
Here in the Keys,I have my first outdoor Boston Fern. She's sitting on the front of our houseboat that faces North East. It's the beginning of February now and having repotted in December she's in a real growing spurt!!I originally had different shells all around the base,thinking it would help keep the soil moist.During my weekly watering,trimming time i noticed little curling 'things' coming up... realizing that they were new leaves i removed the shells.The leaves are approx. 15 " long. I'm thinking it's now time to hang her considering she's between our two chairs and it's difficult to see the person opposite. (lol)I would like to buy a hanging basket that matches my other plant(Spider)but i hope this doesn't hinder growth. Also..can i divide the babies and start a new one?
