Can You Grow a Boston Fern Outside?
Also ambiguously called sword fern, the Boston fern is a specific cultivar of Nephrolepis exaltata called "Bostoniensis." Tolerant of the low light and humidity in homes and offices, the Boston fern endures as a classic indoor plant. It also will grow outdoors in a container or in the ground as long as the weather never drops below freezing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Hardiness
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Boston fern is native to tropical parts of Central and South America and even is naturalized in the warmer parts of southern Florida, where it now grows wild. Boston fern may be grown year-round outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and warmer. It may be lightly damaged by frosts and light freezes in USDA zone 9b and rejuvenate once spring returns if the roots aren't dead.
Seasonal Use Outdoors
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Once frosts no longer occur in spring and temperatures don't drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit at night, you can bring Boston fern plants outdoors. According to Megan Bame on the Learn2Grow website, Boston ferns in hanging baskets are a classic decor on porches and verandas across the American South. Small-sized ferns may also be planted as an annual in shady flower beds alongside impatiens and caladium, but will be killed after being exposed to the first fall frost and freezes.
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Growing Needs
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For best retention of leaflets on the fronds, place Boston fern in a partial shade exposure outdoors. Very bright indirect light also suffices. Whether in the ground or a container, an organic-rich soil that isn't alkaline in pH encourages green lushness. Add compost, leaf mold or woodland humus to the soil before planting. The soil also must be consistently moist but drain well to prevent root rot. Since it's a tropical plant, Boston fern relishes warmth and high ambient humidity. Dry soil and too much hot, direct sun leads to leaf yellowing and browning.
Making More Plants
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Boston ferns do not produce flowers and seeds, but spores. When growing in good health, leaflet undersides bear dark brown sori in summer that release powdery spores that will germinate on warm, moist soil. Additional plants also may be made by separating the rooted runner stems on the soil surface. The best time to propagate via the runners is in late winter and early spring, according to the "A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants." (PAGE 702)
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References
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- Photo Credit fern image by Antonio Oquias from Fotolia.com
