Can You overwinter Boston ferns?
Taking your fern inside your house is one of the most popular ways to overwinter your Boston. If you have somewhere that’s warm, dark, and free of excess moisture, that’s a suitable home to winterize it. Your garage, living room, or cellar are good choices. It can’t be completely dark, but it does need some degree of light.
How to overwinter Boston ferns?
Boston ferns are ridiculously easy to overwinter and require barely any work. It’s just picking the right time, pruning, then putting them somewhere warm until next season. Some water and some light will do.
How to winterize Boston ferns?
Winter care for Boston fern starts with finding the right location for overwintering Boston ferns. The plant needs cool nighttime temps and lots of bright, indirect light like that from a south window not blocked by trees or buildings.
Can potted ferns stay out in cold temperatures?
In general, however, potted ferns that can live outside in cold temperatures usually fall into the hardy ferns category. Hardy ferns tolerate winter temperatures outdoors, according to Clemson Cooperative Extension, but many can also survive high heat.
How hot should the Boston Fern be?
Can you throw out Boston ferns?
Can you store Boston ferns in the basement?
Can you water Boston ferns in winter?
Can Boston Ferns Stay Outdoors in Winter?
See 2 more
About this website
How do you keep a Boston fern alive in the winter?
The plant needs cool nighttime temps and lots of bright, indirect light like that from a south window not blocked by trees or buildings. Daytime temperatures should not be over 75 degrees F. (24 C.). High humidity is necessary to keep the Boston fern as a houseplant.
What is the coldest temperature a Boston fern can tolerate?
One of the oldest plants in the world, Boston Ferns like bright but indirect sunlight and optimum temperatures of 60°F – 75°F /15°C – 24°C but will tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F /10°C.
How do you keep ferns alive in the winter months?
Fern Winter Care in Pots Allow the plant to dry out before bringing it indoors. Choose a cool location such as a basement or garage to store the plant. It is best to keep the plant out of direct sunlight. The plant will be dormant for the season and will only need watering once a month.
Will my Boston fern come back after winter?
Deciduous ferns enter a state of dormancy and lose their fronds in winter. Their roots remain alive, and their feathery top growth returns in spring. Evergreen ferns such as Boston fern, however, keep their fronds in winter and continue to grow year-round, never entering a state of dormancy.
Can you leave Boston ferns outside in winter?
Boston Ferns can only survive temperatures down to around 20-40 degrees and can only survive the high end of that range when handing in a pot. So get those plants inside when it starts to get chilly outdoors and don't worry when the fronds start to turn yellow and brown and start shedding.
When should I bring my Boston fern inside?
Before the first frost of the fall is the perfect time to bring potted ferns indoors for the winter.
Will ferns survive winter in garage?
You don't have to provide your ferns with a light source (even a dark spot is okay), and you don't have to give them any special care. Because they'll simply go dormant for the winter. Just find a spot in your basement or garage that doesn't get below 45 degrees, and your ferns should overwinter beautifully.
What do you do with potted ferns in the winter?
How to Overwinter Potted FernsTrim the fern, removing the shoots at the outside of the pot and keeping only the most upright shoots in the middle. ... Bring the fern inside and place it in a bright, sunny room where the temperature will stay between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. ... Water the fern once a week.More items...•
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. They have been around for more than 350 million years, and they're still thriving.
How do you bring a fern back to life after winter?
How to Revive a Fern Losing LeavesIncrease the humidity to 50% with a humidifier. ... Place your fern near other potted plants and mist every day. ... Water the fern as often as required so that the soil is consistently and evenly moist. ... Keep the temperature between 65℉ and 75℉ and slightly cooler at night to revive your fern.More items...
Is my fern dead or dormant?
Dig up the roots and examine them if the fern still fails to produce new growth. If the roots appear healthy and living, then the fern may need more time to put forth a new flush of fronds. Roots that are either rotten and soft or dry and brittle indicate the fern has died.
Can Boston ferns be left outside?
Can a Boston Fern be Grown Outside? Although Boston fern is often grown as a houseplant, it thrives outdoors in warm, humid climates in USDA zones 9 to 11. With adequate moisture, the plant may tolerate drier climates. Frost may kill the fern to the ground, but it will rebound in spring.
At what temperature should you bring ferns inside?
These plants do best when the daytime temperature ranges from 65-75°F, and about 10° cooler at night (as low as 55°F). Most ferns you'll find as houseplants hail from tropical or sub-tropical regions, so they'll start to suffer when temperatures dip lower than 50°F.
What temperature can ferns be left outside?
Considered perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, they may stay out all year where temperatures seldom drop below 45 degrees F, but must be brought indoors if threatened by frost.
How cold can ferns stay outside?
On the coldest end of the scale, hardy ferns can survive temperatures down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hardy ferns in USDA zones 2 through 6, tend to be semi-evergreen. In most cases, it is safe to leave many hardy ferns outdoors all winter long. A few, however, are only cold-hardy to USDA zones 6 or 7.
Can Boston ferns survive outside?
Grow Boston ferns indoors in bright, indirect sunlight or outside in filtered shade. Plant outdoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix and indoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Water frequently to keep the soil evenly moist.
Can a Boston Fern Go Dormant in Winter? | Home Guides | SF Gate
Can a Boston Fern Go Dormant in Winter?. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata), also called sword fern, often is used as a hanging basket plant or outdoor foliage plant for a shade garden. Although ...
How to OverWinter Boston Ferns | Plant Addicts
This is what a fern usually looks like at the end of summer....spilling out over the edges, lush and green. You can grow ferns as a traditional houseplant, but if you don't have the space, yet want to keep the plants for next years hanging baskets, don't fret -- it is possible!
Where do Boston Ferns live in winter?
The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a very common and popular variety of fern which originated in humid swamps and forests. They can be found in its natural state in the south eastern United States as well as in Mexico, South America, and Africa.
How to keep a Boston Fern healthy?
Sufficient light – location plays a huge role in keeping your Boston fern healthy throughout the winter. One thing you need to make sure of is to place your Boston fern by a window where an abundant amount of natural light comes in. Heating – take into consideration how your house is heated.
What is the difference between a Boston fern and a Boston fern?
Many other types of ferns have erect fronds that stand out straight from the main stem of the plant. The Boston fern however , has arching fronds that fall down from the main stem. This is what gives the Boston fern such an elegant look. The Boston fern is native to humid and tropical climates.
How much humidity does a Boston Fern need?
As mentioned earlier Boston ferns thrive in rainforests and other tropical environments. In these places the humidity is usually around 50% . Inside of your home the humidity levels range anywhere from 10% to 20%. These levels are not healthy living situations for your Boston fern.
How long is a Boston fern?
The Boston fern is very popular because of how it looks. It has very long fronds anywhere from about 20 inches to 80 inches long (50 cm-250 cm). On those fronds the Boston fern has small leaflets which can range from 1 inch to 3 inches long. The Boston fern differs from other ferns in the look of the fronds.
How to keep humidity level in room with Boston Fern?
One way this can be done is by using a humidifier. Another useful tool is a hygrometer, which is used to measure the humidity levels of the air. Combining these tools you should be able to keep the humidity level about 40% in the room with your Boston fern.
What temperature do Boston ferns need?
Keeping that in mind, the Boston fern needs warmer temperatures to thrive outdoors and indoors. Anywhere between 65 to 75 degrees is a good daytime temperature for Boston ferns.
Can hanging ferns survive winter?
Similar to Boston ferns that are in the soil or in containers, hanging ferns need to be taken down and brought inside.
Will my Boston fern come back?
Boston ferns are perennial, so it should come back next year if it was overwintered correctly.
Can Boston fern survive winter indoors?
Taking your fern inside your house is one of the most popular ways to overwinter your Boston.
How cold should ferns be in the winter?
Just find a spot in your basement or garage that doesn’t get below 45 degrees, and your ferns should overwinter beautifully.
Can you bring ferns outside?
When the outdoor temperature ris es to match the temperature of your basement or garage (wherever you’re storing your ferns), you can safely bring them outside again. They’ll need some time to re-acclimate to the sunlight, so start by placing them in a partly-sunny spot for a few hours, and increase their sun exposure over time.
Do ferns need light?
That’s it. You don’t have to provide your ferns with a light source (even a dark spot is okay), and you don’t have to give them any special care. Because they’ll simply go dormant for the winter. Just find a spot in your basement or garage that doesn’t get below 45 degrees, and your ferns should overwinter beautifully.
Can ferns be kept indoors?
In the past we’ve tried overwintering our ferns by bringing them indoors and placing them near a window, but that was always a huge fail. No amount of watering or misting seemed to compensate for our hot, dry indoor air, and we just spent the winter sweeping up little leaflets, until the fronds were bare.
How hot should the Boston Fern be?
The plant needs cool nighttime temps and lots of bright, indirect light like that from a south window not blocked by trees or buildings. Daytime temperatures should not be over 75 degrees F. (24 C.). High humidity is necessary to keep the Boston fern as a houseplant.
Can you throw out Boston ferns?
Often the ferns are discarded, but some are so lush and beautiful that the gardener can’t bring one’s self to toss them. Relax; throwing them out isn’t necessary and is really wasteful considering the process for overwintering Boston ferns is not overly complicated.
Can you store Boston ferns in the basement?
If you don’t have the right conditions indoors for overwintering Boston ferns, allow them to go dormant and store in a garage, basement, or outdoor building where temperatures don’t go below 55 degrees F. (13 C.). Winter care for Boston fern in dormancy does not include providing light; a dark place is fine for the plant in a sleeping stage.
Can you water Boston ferns in winter?
Water Boston ferns with rainwater or other water that is not chlorinated. Now that you’ve learned what to do with Boston ferns in winter, you may want to save money by trying this process for keeping the ferns through the winter. We’ve answered the question, can Boston ferns stay outdoors in winter. Overwintered plants resume growth in early spring ...
Can Boston Ferns Stay Outdoors in Winter?
In USDA Hardiness Zones 8b through 11, it’s possible to provide outdoor winter care for Boston fern.
