Species Boston fern Guide
Green leaves and yellow stems

Boston fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers

Sun:

part shade,part sun/part shade

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Tropical:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Boston ferns should be watered regularly, approximately once a week. Water thoroughly so that the soil is saturated and water starts to run out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Use room temperature or lukewarm water and keep the plant in a humid environment. Spray the leaves with water twice a week if the environment is too dry.

sunlight

Boston ferns need bright, indirect sunlight for a minimum of 4 hours on a daily basis. Morning sun is the best since intense afternoon sun will damage the plant's foliage. Too little light will cause the fronds to become pale and yellow, while too much light may cause them to dry out and become crispy. The best lighting would be a bright indirect light like a north or east-facing window or near a window that has some sheer curtains or blinds to help filter out the intense direct light. The Boston fern should be placed at least 3 feet away from the window to avoid scorching.

pruning

For Boston ferns, pruning should be done every 3-4 weeks in order to maintain a full and healthy plant. Pruning should involve cutting the fronds just beyond the nodes (the parts of the stem where the leaves spring out from). Trim the fronds about an inch or 2 above the nodes in order for new growth to appear. If you have a particularly large fern, you may need to do this more frequently. Additionally, fronds should be trimmed when they start to turn brown. This will help keep a vibrant plant.