Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Sword Fern, Ferns
Boston ferns are native to tropical forests and swamp areas around the world. These ferns are especially prevalent in Florida, Mexico, Africa, Central and South America, and Polynesia. The wide- spreading Boston fern with beautiful arching fronds does best in hanging baskets. The fronds or leaves can be 2-3 feet long and 4-6 inches wide. Each Boston fern frond has small leaflets (pinnae) on either side of a midrib, and the leaflets have slightly serrated edges. A Boston fern does a great job removing formaldehyde from the air.
Boston Fern
Light
Boston ferns prefer bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light.. Placing a Boston fern in front of a window with a northern exposure allows it to get sufficient light but not so much that the leaves lose their vibrant green color.
Water
Allow the top 30% of the soil to dry-out before watering. The fronds or leaves may even turn a pale green which indicates the fern needs water. Crispy brown fronds, especially in the center of a Boston fern, mean the plant is being over-watered. Watering with "hard water" causes white marks on the leaves. A Boston fern is more drought-resistant than most ferns, so when in doubt, don't water.
Fertilizer
Feed a Boston Fern monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
when the plant is actively growing. Dilute the plant food 1/4 to 1/2 the recommended strength to prevent the ends of the fronds from burning and turning brown.
Temperature
Boston Ferns prefer cool temperatures between 60°-70°. Keep all types of ferns away from heat sources such as fireplaces heaters.
Humidity
Ferns grow best in very high humidity which is rarely found in our homes or offices. If your fern leaf tips are turning brown because of low humidity, try setting the plant on a wet pebble tray. Be sure the Boston fern is sitting on the pebbles and not in the water.
Pests
AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com., Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants., and spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them. are a problem. Since pesticides damage the fronds of ferns, spray often with soapy water to prevent and treat pest infestations.
Diseases
Boston ferns are fairly disease resistant.
Soil
The best soil to use is a good indoor potting soil with a little extra peat moss added to help it drain quickly.
Pot Size
Repot a Boston fern to the next size pot when the roots of the plant have filled the existing pot. When in doubt, do not re-pot, ferns do well when root-bound. Do not fertilize a fern for several weeks after re-potting.
Pruning
Cut dead fronds off as soon as they appear. Dead leaves on any houseplant should immediately be removed since they drain energy from the plant.
Propagation
Propagated Boston ferns by plant divisionLearn how to propagate plants by plant division at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary. Use a serrated knife to cut the fern root- ball in half or in quarters. Plant the sections in small pots to prevent over-watering.
Clean Air Plant
Boston ferns remove formaldehyde from the air.
Poisonous Plant Info
Can I set my Boston fern on top of a refrigerator in my very bright kitchen?
Ferns do best when the temperature is cool (60°-70°). The top of a refrigerator is not a good place, it's too hot.
Why are the ends of the leaves on my Boston fern from turning brown?
The tips of the fronds or leaves on a Boston fern, and other ferns, turn brown when there is not enough humidity in the air, when the water you use is too salty or contains too much chlorine or fluoride, or if the fern is getting too much plant food.
What is the white sticky stuff on the fronds of my Boston fern? I'm guessing it's mealy bugs. If it is, can I spray alcohol on my fern to get rid of them?
You can't spray alcohol on a fern to get rid of plant pests; the fronds are too delicate. Spray your Boston fern with warm soapy water or diluted insecticidal soapInsecticidal Soap is defined as any of the potassium fatty acid soaps used to control many plant pests and diseases. This product is typically sprayed on plants in the same manner as other insecticides. It works only on direct contact with the pests. The fatty acids disrupt the structure and permeability of the insect cell membranes and the insect quickly dies. Soaps of this kind also work well on fungus infections such as botritis and leaf spot as well as on common houseplant pests such as spider mite and mealy bug. to get rid of Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants.. You may have to spray the plant several times to completely get rid of the problem.
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