Am I Taking Good Care Of My Boston Fern?

Is your Boston fern placed somewhere with lots of bright but indirect sunlight?

Is your Boston fern planted in well-drained soil, rich in organic matter?

Did you provide a warm and humid environment for your Boston fern?

Do you keep soil evenly and consistently moist, but never soggy?

Do you fertilize your Boston fern excessively?

Do you repot your Boston fern every spring?

Do you keep your Boston fern free of pests and diseases?

The Boston fern needs bright indirect light when grown indoors (outdoors, it prefers denser shade). Some fern species can handle almost full sun, but Boston fern prefers filtered dappled light.

Boston ferns need a loamy, rich, organic mixture as potting soil. Make sure the drainage is good to avoid rotting the roots, which will be evident if the plant is beginning to lose leaves or appears waterlogged. It's a good idea to choose a soil that contains some organic material.

These ferns can survive the occasional blast of cold, down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit or even slightly colder for a few hours. However, they thrive between 60 and 75 degrees. Boston fern grown indoors prefers humidity no lower than 80 percent; in environments drier than this, it should be frequently misted.

You should keep the soil moist at all times, but don't let it become soggy or waterlogged. Dry soil is one of the main reasons that Boston ferns die. Check the soil daily and make sure to give it some water if the soil feels at all dry.

Boston ferns do not need much fertilizer. Fertilizer should only be given to the plant a few times a year. During the growing season, feed the fern with liquid or slow-release pellets, and do not feed during winter.

In the spring, you should repot Boston fern into fresh compost, even if it hasn't outgrown its pot and it's not necessary to move up in pot sizes. Common signs that a plant needs repotting include overcrowding and wilting leaves.

Good job! You are taking good care of your Boston fern.

Boston ferns are usually safe from pests, but keep an eye on small insects like spider mites, or mealybugs. Products that control the pest infestation include using a horticultural soap spray or Neem oil. Also, maintain good watering practices to avoid root rot and other fungal problems.