Boston ferns don’t flower, but they can act as dazzling upright accents for many annual flower beds.

Boston Fern - The Spruce How to Grow and Care For Boston Fern - The Spruce

On the other hand, you’ll need to winter the plant to get to survive the dormancy. Most people opt to bring the fern indoors during the colder months, but if you want to keep it outdoors, make sure to mulch generously to keep the roots valid for the next growing season. Can Boston Ferns Be Planted in the Ground? The beauty of growing ferns in pots and baskets is that you can easily adjust the temperature and sunlight exposure by moving them around. In fact, dropping from multiple waterings weekly in the spring and summer to once per month might get the job done for the winter.Ferns reproduce through spores (the tiny yellow-brown dots along the underside of leaf blades) rather than flowering, which means the easiest way to propagate them is through plant division. Meanwhile, you can move it a little further from the window when the sun gets more intense in the summer to avoid over-drying the soil and burning the leaf tips.

Boston Fern Care 101: Mastering the Most Finicky Fronds - Bob Vila Boston Fern Care 101: Mastering the Most Finicky Fronds - Bob

When you prune, make sure to cut the leggy stems at their base, leaving around four inches peeking from the soil. Just try your best to avoid cutting the top of the fern. For one, it can help you tame down the volume if you’re not a big fan of the giant bushy plants. On the other hand, you can use it to get rid of any fading leaves or leggy stems to keep the fern looking fresh. It’s possible to keep potted ferns and hanging baskets outdoors, too. In that case, it can be easier to move the plant to a shaded part when the sun gets too intense in the warmer months.There are two ways that you can grow Boston ferns in the ground. Choosing between them depends on the available space and whether you want to keep companion plants in the same spot. Boston ferns aren’t drought-friendly plants; they need plenty of water to survive. The soil should stay consistently moist but not soggy or waterlogged. Standing water is never a good thing for your plants. Those living in dry climates need to mist their plants on hot days because the humidity is required for proper growth. A self-watering pot is an excellent option because it keeps the soil moist, which is necessary for growing ferns. Another option is to use a plastic pot, which doesn’t cause evaporation as fast. Make sure that the container has drainage holes to prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged. Create the Right Soil for Boston Ferns Despite its associations with New England, the Boston fern originated from a tropical plant, Nephrolepis exaltata, which is native to Florida, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. In those habitats, the Boston type can grow to 7 feet tall, but probably won’t surpass a height of 3 feet in a container. Round, white balls attached to the roots are nothing to worry about either – these are nodules that store water.

Boston Fern Care Guide (Everything You Need to Know) Boston Fern Care Guide (Everything You Need to Know)

The Boston Fern plant loves a high humidity level of around 80%. There are a few ways to boost the humidity in a room to suit your fern’s liking. We recommend regularly misting the plant or placing it in a steamy bathroom with appropriate light, since typical household humidity is only 10-15%. Browning frond tips and yellowing are a sign that your fern is craving higher humidity. temperature 🌡️ On the plus side, keeping the fern in the same spot can also help you mark where the begonias are rooted. This way, when the plant fades in the fall, you won’t accidentally dislodge its roots.

Whether you use containers or not, these plants prefer a rich, organic soil that is full of nutrients. If your garden soil is low-quality, add several inches of compost, leaf mulch, or finely chopped bark to increase the humus while also ensuring that the soil drains well. Keep in mind that you’ll have to watch the transmission to nearby plants if your fern is rooted directly in the ground. Pests If you decide you want to move your plant’s location, don’t do so abruptly. Environmental changes need to be gradual. The Golden Boston is also overall easy to care for, but its fronds aren’t as bright green as the others. Instead, it’s more yellow-toned. Final Thoughts