How to grow & care for a Boston fern
Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) are graceful plants with long, arching fronds that cascade elegantly from their pots. These lush ferns make beautiful indoor plants and can even be grown outdoors in summer in many parts of the UK.
Boston ferns prefer consistently moist but well-drained soil and enjoy high humidity. You can mist their fronds regularly, group them with other plants to create a humid microclimate or use a humidifier to meet their needs.
To showcase their stunning foliage, grow Boston ferns in hanging baskets or place them on high shelves where their fronds can drape beautifully.
Boston ferns are not toxic to cats or dogs, so pet lovers can grow them without worrying! Although Boston ferns are known to be a favourite snack for our feline friends, so if you have any cats, we suggest keeping your Boston fern out of reach to protect their delicate fronds from being munched on.
Top 5 Boston fern care tips
- Light requirements: Boston ferns do best in bright indirect light indoors. If you choose to put your Boston fern outdoors in the summer during warm weather, choose partial to full shade to protect their delicate fronds from direct sunlight.
- Soil: Use a high-quality, free-draining houseplant compost to ensure healthy growth.
- Watering: Watering Boston ferns regularly is key to their health. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Always tip out excess water from saucers or pots to prevent root rot.
- Fertilising: Feed monthly during spring and summer with a liquid indoor plant feed to encourage strong, healthy growth.
- Humidity: Maintain a humid environment by misting regularly, grouping with other plants, or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles covered with water.
Growing Boston ferns in pots
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Boston ferns thrive in pots, making them perfect for indoor spaces or as summer plants on shady patios.
- Pot selection: Choose a pot about 5cm larger in diameter than the nursery pot. Ensure it has drainage holes or use a nursery pot inside a decorative cover pot.
- Planting: Part-fill the pot with a free-draining indoor plant mix. Remove the fern from its nursery pot, gently loosen the roots, and position it in the new pot. Backfill with potting mix until slightly below the pot's rim.
- Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and remove any standing water from saucers or cover pots. Maintain moist but not soggy soil to prevent root rot.
- Repotting: Repot your Boston fern into a slightly larger pot when it becomes rootbound, i.e. when roots start growing through the pot’s drainage holes. The best time to do this is in spring or early summer.
Growing Boston ferns outdoors
Boston ferns need a temperature of above 10°C to thrive. They can be grown outdoors in the summer in the UK, planted in pots so that they can be moved back indoors in autumn to overwinter. Choose a spot in the shade or dappled sunlight. Placing your Boston fern among other ferns or moisture-loving plants can help create the humid conditions Boston ferns enjoy.
Boston fern care
- Fertilisers: Use a liquid indoor plant fertiliser monthly during spring and summer.
- Watering: Increase watering frequency during warmer months, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Place the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and topped up with water for additional humidity. Mist the fronds 2-3 times per week.
- Frond care: Remove dead or damaged fronds to encourage new growth. Boston ferns do not need regular pruning.
How to propagate Boston ferns
Boston ferns are easy to propagate by division. Simply remove a mature Boston fern plant from its pot and prise the root ball apart into sections – you may need to use a sharp knife to cut through congested roots. Plant the divided sections into individual pots filled with houseplant compost, water well and grow on.
The best time to divide Boston ferns is in spring or early summer.
Boston fern problems
- Browning fronds: Older fronds die back naturally and can be cut off at the base. Try not to touch the fronds too much as this can make them turn brown. Large numbers of brown fronds on Boston ferns can indicate that the air is too dry or the plant needs more frequent watering.
By following these steps, Boston ferns can thrive in UK homes and gardens, providing lush, green foliage that adds a touch of elegance to any space.
FAQs
How often should I water my Boston fern?
Boston ferns like consistently moist but not sodden compost. A good rule of thumb is to water once a week in spring and summer, and less often in winter. Check the moisture level in the compost regularly to assess whether you need to water more or less frequently.
