How to care for your Boston Fern house plant. Ferns are popular plants but not always easy to maintain in normal household conditions. There are many varieties of ferns from which to choose and Boston Fern, or Nephrolepis, is one of them. Boston fern is a popular house plant for use indoors and on shaded patios or decks.
Boston Ferns can be intolerant of conditions that don't meet their needs. Some indoor plants will survive just about anywhere but Boston ferns need constant moisture and more humidity than many plants. Bright, indirect light is also required although a few may tolerate a lower light situation. Be aware that you may have to spend a quite a bit more time on your Boston fern than you would on some other houseplants.
Boston Ferns are often used as display plants on exterior wrap around porches, especially in warmer climates. They are great for shaded exterior locations, just be aware they will most likely need more frequent watering if used outside. I think they actually do much better in an exterior shaded location than inside the average home.
Boston Fern houseplant questions? I would be happy to answer any house plant questions as I can. Free of charge, no sign-ups required!
Boston Fern house plant questions or problems? You can send a houseplant question but before you do, please finish reading this page and other house plant care information on watering your indoor house plants, how to help keep your houseplant's root system healthy, lighting for your houseplants, and basic houseplant care. These are most important for your house plant's health and this is some of the information I will refer you to if you send an email.
Working in the interior landscape industry, I get a lot of questions from customers about their personal houseplants. It is nice helping them keep their indoor house plants growing and healthy. That is why I started this website, to help others learn how to care for their indoor plants and flowers. So please read on!
Over the years, I have had many animals and plants in the same house and have not had too many problems. I always make my best effort to keep houseplants out of the reach of pets. That can be difficult, especially with cats, as they seem to be able to get just about anywhere they please! Being an animal lover, as many people are, I thought it would be helpful to add a link for those with questions about pets and houseplants, as I have received a few emails with questions on the subject. Do not allow pets to eat your indoor houseplants or your outdoor plants. Questions about plants and pet safety?
This is a link to the ASPCA, Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.
Keep potting mix moist at all times. Do not allow to dry completely. As with just about any house plant, root mass should not be kept constantly soggy either. Please read sections on watering indoor plants and lighting for indoor plants. It is important to know that watering is relative to the light a plant receives.
Temperatures for Boston ferns should be kept between 55° and 75°F. Most ferns do not do well in extreme temperatures. Place in bright, indirect light although Boston Fern would do fine with some early morning sun. Provide additional humidity, especially indoors where air is often dry because of heating and air conditioning use.
Ferns tends to lose foliage on a regular basis, especially if the lighting is not quite right, the humidity is too low or the watering is not correct. Lower, older fronds should be the first to go, as they are replaced with new growth. Cut out any fronds as they begin to yellow or turn brown as this will help encourage new growth. Ferns look unsightly if they are not kept well groomed. This is especially true of Boston Ferns.
Keep your Boston fern foliage clean and keep an eye out for insect problems. Mealy bug and scale can sometimes be a problem but a good wash down with soapy water should be sufficient to control these pests. On some ferns this can be difficult. With Boston Ferns it is easier to remove the foliage with the pest problems first and then spray the rest with soap mixture. Your Boston fern would love a good shower with room temperature water.
When the growing season is over, you can cut back all of the growth on your Boston fern if you like. Move it to a well lit, warm location and reduce watering somewhat. It will regrow quickly and the new growth looks so much better than the old pale fronds.
Also check the roots at the end of the growing season. You may need to pot up to a slightly larger grow pot if your Boston fern's roots have filled the old grow pot. Just gently tap off the grow pot and take a look, if you see nothing but roots and virtually no soil it may be time to pot up the plant.
A bonsai tree or plant for indoors or outdoors makes a great gift for any gardener. Treat that special person, or yourself, to a beautiful bonsai. May earn commission. Bonsai Boy of New York.
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Questions about your indoor house plants or plant care problems? You can send a house plant question, free of charge, no sign ups, registration or log in required!
Before you send a houseplant care question, please be sure to read this information on watering your indoor house plants, how to help keep your your indoor house plants root system healthy and lighting for your indoor house plants and flowers. These are most important for the health of your house plants and this is some of the information I will refer you to if you send an indoor house plant or flower care question.
You can post comments, find answers to plant care questions, or share some of your own plant wisdom on our plant care Facebook Page, Twitter page or visit my plant care blog. You can also find plant pictures, gardening ideas, and more at our plant and flower Pinterest page.
Thanks for visiting and come back soon as houseplant care information, pictures and more are being added all of the time. I hope that your indoor tropical house plants and all of your plants and flowers are happy, green and growing because that is why I started this indoor house plant and flower care website, PlantAndFlowerInfo.com.
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