Boston Fern: Overview

The beautiful Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a lush green, bushy fern that can grow both as a terrestrial plant or as an epiphyte, using its roots to get moisture and nutrients from the air. When mature, a Boston Fern plant can grow to 3 ft. in height, spreading its long, feathery fronds to ca. 5 ft. wide. This popular indoor plant belongs to the Nephrolepidaceae family and is native to Florida, Mexico, and the West Indies. 

Growing Boston Fern indoors requires bright, indirect light; it should be ideally placed near a window. You can also keep your fern on the porch in hardiness zones 9 to 11. Whether you grow your Boston Fern indoors or outdoors, providing it with the right conditions can help you enjoy this easy-care plant for several decades. 

Boston Ferns symbolize renewal, protection, and abundance; in Feng Shui, it is believed to attract success and wealth. Also, the Boston Fern is a dog- and cat-safe plant, making it popular among plant lovers, who have pets at home.

Boston Fern: Alternative Names

• Boston Sword Fern
• Boston Blue Bell Fern
• Fluffy Ruffles
• Wild Boston Fern

Boston Fern: Benefits

• One of the best air-purifying plants that remove toxins like xylene and formaldehyde from the air
• Its lush green foliage has a woodland vibe 
• Symbolizes good luck, abundance, and protection in Feng Shui
• It’s an easy-to-care-for houseplant
• Increases indoor humidity and lowers the temperature

Boston Fern Plant: Care Guide

Taking care of your Boston Fern plant is simple. If you provide the right conditions, your fern will reward you with lush growth. Here are some Boston Fern care tips to help your fern thrive:

Watering and Humidity

Keep your fern’s soil moist, but not soggy. Water well and let the excess water drain before replacing the plant in its decorative pot. Avoid watering the fern’s rosette of leaves from the top, as wetting the fronds can result in bacterial and fungal infections. Use filtered or ‘overnight’ water, as the plant is sensitive to chemicals. Boston Ferns enjoy medium to high humidity. 

Light and Temperature

The Boston Fern thrives in bright but indirect light. It needs several hours of bright light daily to grow well and won’t react well to low-light conditions. That said, direct sunlight can scorch your plant’s fronds. If you want to grow your Boston Fern outdoors, provide partial shade or place it under the canopy of the trees. This fern prefers warmer temperatures, from 70℉ to 80℉. Keep your Boston Fern away from cold drafts.

Soil, Feeding, and Repotting

Use a well-draining potting mix for your fern. If you’re planting your Boston Fern outside in the ground, make sure to add nutrients and compost. Adding 25% of compost will boost your fern’s growth. Boston Ferns prefer to be a little rootbound, so repot it approximately once every 2-3 years. Fertilize twice during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Propagation

If you can propagate your Boston Fern plant by using the division method during repotting. Gently separate the plant's roots and transplant the division in individual pots, filled with moist well-draining soil, rich in nutrients. Place them in a spot that receives bright, indirect light. Another propagation method is to use the spores. It is a difficult and time-consuming technique for more experienced indoor gardeners.

Pruning, Cleaning, and Common Issues

Prune any wilting or dead leaves and keep the soil and the leaf rosette free from debris. Remove accumulated dust with a damp cloth or spritz the plant. Boston Ferns grow slowly, so you may not need to prune a small Boston Fern much. Watch out for common issues, like yellowing leaves, which indicate overwatering, or brown frond tips that are a sign of insufficient moisture or underwatering.

Boston Fern: Placement, Companion & Alternative Plants

A hanging Boston Fern is very decorative; its graceful, feathery fronds cascade gently from the hanging basket, adding an elegant charm to any space.  

Best Locations & Uses

• Pet-safe choice for plant lovers with pets
• Ideal for beginner plant lovers
• Perfect office or bedroom plant because of its air-cleansing qualities 
• Wonderful hanging plant for interior decoration
• Amazing gift plant believed to promote good fortune  

Companion Plants

The Boston Fern’s feather-like foliage combines wonderfully with other tropical plants, making it a natural choice for your lush indoor jungle.

• Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens): The gently arching fronds of the Areca Palm grow straight from the base of the plant and can reach an impressive height of 7 ft. even when grown indoors.
• Orange Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginea): The Orange Bird of Paradise boasts large, lush green leaves and produces some of the most unusual and exotic flowers.
• Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix roebelenii): A charming indoor palm tree, the Pygmy Date Palm also has excellent air-purifying properties.

Alternative Plants

If you’re looking for a similar stylish houseplant, consider these fern varieties available on Lively Root:

• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum aethiopicum): With light green, gentle foliage, the Maidenhair Fern loves humidity and grows best in medium light.
• Heart Leaf Fern (Hemionitis arifolia): The Heart Leaf Fern has unusual, leather-textured leaves that resemble elongated hearts.
• Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum): Shaped like a stag’s antlers, the eye-catching fronds of the Staghorn Fern make an amazing centerpiece for your plant display.

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