Boston Fern Care
- Soil for Boston Fern The Boston fern prefers a soil bed that is a rich loamy peat-based potting mix with excellent drainage. ...
- Light for Boston Fern Boston ferns like very bright, but indirect light. ...
- Water and Humidity for Boston Fern ...
- Temperature for Boston Fern ...
- Fertilization for Boston Fern ...
- Boston Fern Pruning and Repotting ...
- Propagating a Boston Fern ...
What is the best soil mix for ferns?
Rather than standard potting soil, ferns will grow best in a richer medium, such as a fern-specific commercial mix or compost mixed with peat moss and sand. Repotting is necessary when the plant begins to crowd its container, which may lead to smaller fronds.
What kind of potting soil do ferns like?
When planting your ferns, choose a light, fluffy soil mix that contains plenty of organic matter, but not enough to make the soil so heavy and dense that it does not drain well. Most packaged houseplant mediums should work well as long as they are rich in porous organic materials such as peat moss or leaf mold.
What kind of pots do Boston ferns like?
glazed terra cottaMany Boston ferns are sold as hanging baskets in plastic pots, and it's fine to leave them that way if desired. If you want to plant your Boston fern in different container, though, choose plastic or glazed terra cotta. These types of pots take longer to dry out, making it easier to maintain the plants.
How do you take care of a Boston fern indoors?
1:5311:52Stop Killing Your Boston Ferns! Full Care Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo really a minimum requirement of two hours in direct Sun a day but indoors just that classicMoreSo really a minimum requirement of two hours in direct Sun a day but indoors just that classic bright indirect. And it can tolerate. Quite a bit less light than than other house plants that require
Can I use regular potting soil for a fern?
Use a standard potting mix for many species of potted ferns. Use a mix that is lighter, coarser, and more porous for plants that need better drainage.
Is Miracle Gro good for ferns?
Ferns prefer lightweight, moist, mostly well-drained soil. The best way to prepare the soil for ferns is to add Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Garden Soil to the planting area.
How often should you water a Boston fern?
Many people fear they will overwater their fern but Boston ferns crave water and need daily watering when outdoors, especial on hot summer days. On really hot days it's a good idea to water your fern twice a day.
How do you make Boston ferns bushy?
You don't want to crop the top of the plant when pruning Boston fern. Instead, trim off the side fronds at the base. Also remove old, discolored fronds near the soil to allow new growth to come through. Remove the unsightly stems to the base as well.
Do ferns like to be root bound?
Macho ferns are most commonly grown in containers and definitely prefer to be snug than given too much space. Root-bound plants will eventually decline in health. If they become root-bound they should be transplanted into a larger container or divided.
What does Epsom salt do for ferns?
They help in chlorophyll production, healthy plant growth, and resistance against diseases and pest. Both of them are required if you want to grow Lush and Green Ferns.
Should I mist my Boston fern?
Misting Boston ferns is another simple way to raise the humidity around the plants. However, many plant experts think that misting Boston ferns is a waste of time and that taking care of Boston fern misting needs is a daily chore that, at best, keeps the fronds dust-free.
How long do Boston ferns last?
They're also perennials, which means they'll keep growing back year after year without dying. But how long do Boston ferns live? Boston ferns can live for more than 100 years, provided that you give them what they need in terms of nutrients, water, and sufficient light.
How do you make potting soil for ferns?
1/3 potting soil. 1/3 peat moss. 1/3 equal parts sand, gravel and charcoal. 1 teaspoon of lime for each quart of fern soil mixture.
Can I use orchid potting mix for ferns?
Use Orchid potting mix for other plants like african violets, tree fern, or tropical plants. You can also use the orchid bark as mulch for some plants.
How do you prepare soil for ferns?
Most ferns prefer the soil media to be moist without being sopping wet or completely dry. When preparing a well-drained media of perlite, bark and peat moss, the goal is to encourage even aeration and moisture retention between each watering.
Is succulent soil good for ferns?
Generally, succulents and ferns should not be planted together as they are each native to different types of environments. Succulents require far less water to grow than ferns, and the soil conditions preferred by ferns are too moist and would harm succulents.
How often should I switch soil for my Boston Fern?
As a general rule, repot your Boston fern with fresh potting soil every two to three years. If you notice roots protruding from the button of the c...
Can I use cactus soil for Boston Ferns?
Don't use cactus soil for Boston ferns. This light soil drains quickly and doesn't tend to hold moisture, and likely won't provide enough humidity...
Do Boston Ferns like wet or dry soil?
Boston ferns do not like dry soil, but they don't want to be soggy, either. They prefer moist, well-drained soil.
What are the primary considerations for soil when repotting a Boston Fern?
Repot your Boston fern in spring, when the plant is actively growing. Water the plant a couple of days before reporting, and choose a container tha...
Does the size of the plant affect the soil mix for Boston Ferns?
Boston ferns always prefer moist, well-draining soil with an acidic pH, regardless of plant size.
Does the potting container influence the type of soil mix for Boston Ferns?
Boston ferns love humidity, so using a double container may help your plant thrive. Pot it in a small terracotta pot with suitable drainage holes,...
Do Boston ferns need deep potting containers?
Boston ferns don't need particularly deep containers to thrive.
How to grow Boston Ferns outdoors?
If planning to grow your plant outdoors, fill the bottom 1/3 of the container with Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix, which absorbs more water than basic potting soil. Place the plant so that the top of the root ball is about 1 inch below the rim of the container (to leave room for watering). Fill in around the root ball with more potting mix, then thoroughly water the plant, let it drain, and move it to its permanent location.
How to keep Boston ferns alive in winter?
Expect some leaf drop when you bring plants indoors for the winter. If the defoliation is extreme, simply cut plants back and allow them to re-grow. Situate Boston ferns indoors in bright, indirect sunlight away from drafty doors and heating vents. Provide as much humidity as possible and carefully monitor the soil to ensure plants stay consistently moist. You can set the plants on pebble trays filled with water, so long as the pot does not sit in standing water. You may also want to use a humidifier or mist the plants with room-temperature tap water.
How to keep plants moist in a pot?
Provide as much humidity as possible and carefully monitor the soil to ensure plants stay consistently moist. You can set the plants on pebble trays filled with water, so long as the pot does not sit in standing water. You may also want to use a humidifier or mist the plants with room-temperature tap water.
Is Boston fern a houseplant?
Popular since Victorian times, Boston ferns are now among the most common houseplants. Whether you’re growing Boston ferns indoors or out, here’s what you need to know to keep them at their best.
Can Boston ferns grow in direct sunlight?
In humid, subtropical areas of Florida ( zones 10 to 12 ), Boston ferns make an attractive mid-height groundcover in areas with dappled shade. They like consistently moist but well-drained soils. Boston ferns grown indoors should be placed near a window, but not in direct sunlight.
Can you keep Boston ferns in a pot?
These types of pots take longer to dry out, making it easier to maintain the plants. It can be difficult to keep a large Boston fern well-watered enough when it is growing in coco coir or an unglazed container, unglazed pot, window box, or hanging basket.
Can you plant Boston ferns in plastic pots?
If you want to plant your Boston fern in different container, though, choose plastic or glazed terra cotta . These types of pots take longer to dry out, making it easier to maintain the plants. It can be difficult to keep a large Boston fern well-watered enough when it is growing in coco coir or an unglazed container, unglazed pot, window box, or hanging basket.
What kind of soil do Boston ferns like?
These ferns like organically rich, loamy soil with good drainage. Poorly drained soil can cause root rot and ultimately kill the plant. For container Boston fern plants, use a peat-based potting mix.
How much humidity does a Boston fern need?
High humidity also is critical for Boston ferns. They thrive in humidity levels of above 80 percent. To raise the humidity around your fern, set it on a tray filled with water and pebbles. Also, regularly mist the plant.
How to repot Boston ferns?
Another telltale sign that the fern is out of space is if it's not growing as much as it normally does. Repotting is best done in the spring. Select just one container size up. Gently remove the fern from its old pot, and replant it at the same depth in the new pot using fresh potting mix.
What is a Boston Fern?
Varieties. Propagating. Potting. Back to Top. The Boston fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata ), also known as the sword fern, is a popular fern species that grows in many tropical areas around the world. It is also commonly kept as a houseplant, especially because it doesn’t have high sunlight needs.
How to keep ferns from drying out?
Plan to water frequently to prevent the soil from drying out. And fertilize from spring to fall when the plant is actively growing. Regularly misting your fern or using other means to raise humidity also is typically a must unless you live in a very humid climate.
What happens when ferns dry out?
If the soil begins to dry out, the fern’s foliage can quickly dry out and drop off the plant. During the fall and winter months, slightly reduce watering, as the plant is not actively growing. But if you notice the fronds getting dry, increase the amount of water you are giving the plant.
Do Boston ferns like heat?
They like warm and humid conditions. And they don’t enjoy temperature extremes, either outside or from drafts, air conditioners, and heating vents indoors. It’s important to maintain stable growing conditions for Boston ferns, as any element to their care that’s out of whack can quickly damage the plant.
What ferns grow in a garden?
If you have limited space on your property but want year-round greenery, you can try planting some small evergreen ferns, and Greenwood Nursery mentions four different varieties that could be perfect for your beds. The first is tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, zones 6 through 9), which look elegant and grow no higher than 2 feet. The Japanese holly fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, zones 6 through 10) has attractive holly-shaped leaves and 'Brilliance' (Dryopteris erythrosora 'Brilliance,' zones 5 through 9) has colors that vary from green to orange.
What is the name of the fern that grows in shade?
The maidenhair fern (Adiantum, zones 8 through 10) is another kind of small evergreen fern and likes to grow in shaded areas. Gardener’s World also describes the crispum group (Asplenium scolopendrium, zones 5 through 9) with its unique, wavy-edged fronds.
What is a kangaroo paw fern?
SmartAsset.com. Also from Australia, the kangaroo paw fern (Microsorum diversifolium, USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 12) has extra-long fronds and likes very warm weather. It does well as an indoor plant, and its long fronds have a leatherlike texture with a bit of a sheen.
How to tell if fern is growing too big?
If you see the fern’s roots popping out through the drainage holes, it has grown too big for its container. Other signs of overgrowth include a notable slowdown in growth or when parts of it are elevated out of the soil. You can divide it in two with a trowel and then repot. This is best done in the spring.
Do ferns produce flowers?
Ferns (Polypodiopsida, USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 11) do not produce flowers, but their complex leaf systems can be quite attractive, and most interestingly, these vascular plants reproduce by spores instead of seeds. Britannica reports that there are anywhere from 10,500 to 15,000 types of fern plants, ...
Do ferns like humidity?
Ferns love humidity and can therefore do quite well in kitchens and bathrooms. If you prefer to place them elsewhere in the house, keep them away from fans and vents. They can also benefit from being near a room humidifier and from regular watering with a good misting every few days.
Can ferns be killed?
In fact, some experts say that ferns are impossible to kill.
How long does a Boston Fern grow?
Although this classic houseplant requires minimal maintenance, it periodically outgrows its container– usually every two to three years.
How to grow ferns in a pot?
Hold the fern in one hand, then tilt the pot and guide the plant carefully from the container. Place the fern in the new container and fill in around the root ball with potting soil up to about 1 inch (2.5 cm.) from the top. Adjust the soil in the bottom of the container, if necessary.
How much light does a Boston Fern need?
Boston fern light requirements vary depending on the time of year. The plant benefits from bright, indirect light during fall and winter. A location where the plant gets at least two hours of indirect sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon, is ideal.
When do Boston ferns need sun?
Boston fern light conditions must change when sunlight is more intense in spring and summer. During the sunny time of year, the fern needs a semi-shady location, such as a window with a northern exposure.
What is a Boston fern?
Boston fern ( Nephrolepsis exaltata bostoniensis) is a dependable, old-fashioned charmer that decorates the environment with cascades of graceful, deep green fronds. Boston fern is a tropical plant that thrives with minimal care; however, light requirements for Boston ferns are a critical aspect of successful growing.
Can you use Boston Fern in the sun?
Consider two important factors when you think about Boston fern indoor light any time of year. Boston fern won’t tolerate bright sunlight or total shade.
