- When growing a Boston fern as a houseplant, provide proper drainage by choosing a pot with a hole in the bottom. Add a nutrient-rich potting soil around the roots of the fern. Consider adding coarse sand or perlite to supply more aeration in the soil. Place the plant in bright, indirect sunlight. A Boston fern prefers humid conditions, so consider placing the plant on top of a dish filled with water and pebbles to increase humidity. A Boston fern works well in a hanging basket and may be placed in a kitchen or bathroom where humidity is high. In warm summer months, place the plant outdoors. Freezing conditions will kill a Boston fern, so bring it inside before the first frost.
- In warm, humid environments, a Boston fern will thrive outdoors. These ferns require partial to full shade when grown outside. Plant under shade trees where other plants may not grow, or consider planting the fern as a groundcover. Place the fern in nutrient-rich, moist soil that drains well. If your garden bed contains compact soil with poor drainage, aerate the soil by turning and amending it with coarse sand, wood chips or perlite.
- Use warm water to keep the soil barely moist. Mist the foliage daily to keep humidity high. If fronds appear gray in color, the Boston fern requires additional water. For best results, apply a slow-release granular fertilizer. If using a water-soluble fertilizer, dilute it by half. Feed weekly throughout the year. If leaves appear yellow and growth slows, the fern will benefit from feeding.
- Control mealybugs, spider mites and aphids by applying pesticides to the affected plant. Examine new plants before purchasing to look for signs of pests. Root rot, a fungal disease often resulting from poor drainage, may affect Boston ferns. Root rot causes the wilting and graying or yellowing of fronds. Aerial blight is another fungal disease associated with Boston ferns, which causes brown spots on the foliage. Replant potted ferns with fresh soil if signs of fungal diseases appear. Treat these diseases with fungicides purchased at a garden center or hardware store. Treatment of both the foliage and roots may be required. Remove diseased foliage and dispose of it to prevent spreading the disease to other plants.
