How to Repot a Boston Fern
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') is one of the most common houseplants in the world. Boston ferns are native to tropical regions and do not produce seeds. They reproduce by spores. Boston ferns like regular water and bright, indirect light. Houseplants can grow 6-inch-wide fronds and stand several feet tall. Repot a Boston fern to prevent root binding and to add new soil and nutrients to your mature plant's home. When you see roots protruding from the drain holes in the bottom of the pot, you know it is time to repot. Otherwise, repot all your plants annually for healthy foliage and lots of blooms. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Water your fern. Wait about three to four days for the soil to dry out a bit. Too dry or too wet soil will cause the root-soil mass to fall apart when you lift it out of the container.
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Lay newspaper on a table. Put one to two inches of soil in the bottom of the bigger pot.
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Squeeze the sides of the fern's plastic pot to loosen the soil around the edge. Run a knife between the container edge and the soil-root mass if the fern is planted in a ceramic container.
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Lift the entire container and tip away from your body to upend it. When you feel the root-soil mass loosen from the container, place your hands over the soil surface and wrap your fingers loosely around the main vegetative clump. The whole plant should slide into your open hands.
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If the fern is root-bound, meaning the roots are circling around the perimeter of the soil-root mass, make four vertical cuts in the outer roots.
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Place the fern into its new container. Gently pack soil around the root mass so that there is about one to two inches of soil around every side including the top.
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Water the fern to settle the soil. Add more soil if needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Whenever you find containers that are on sale, buy them. You will be more inclined to repot your plants if you have extra containers on hand.
This is an easy but very messy project. Prepare your work space in advance of dislodging the root-soil mass from the old container. It is difficult to reach for things when the plant is upended in your hands. If you don't like messes, do this out on your patio or lawn in the spring.
