Boston Ferns thrive in warm, indirect light. They don’t do well under direct sunlight as this can damage their delicate leaves and scorch them from beneath. Water frequently during their growing season to keep soil damp yet not soggy.
An ideal environment is crucial to plant health. Misting can help maintain high humidity levels. Be wary of heat ducts and radiators which dry the air out; their direct proximity can cause further dehydration.
Watering
Boston ferns are among the easiest houseplants to keep alive. Their care requires keeping an eye on three key factors: watering, light conditions and humidity levels. Make sure your fern gets regular irrigation during its first month outdoors but reduce watering during winter for dormancy purposes. Indoors, place it in indirect sunlight with regular misting sessions as an additional way of increasing humidity levels.
Water your fern as needed to completely soak the soil, but allow any excess to drain off quickly. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and cause its leaves to wilt; for best results choose a container with sufficient drainage holes and adequate size that matches up well with its size and plant needs.
If the roots of a Boston Fern are brown and soggy, that could be a telltale sign that its soil has become overwatered. Allow the soil to dry out a little before returning to your regular watering regimen.
Fertilizer designed for tropical plants can be an invaluable asset when caring for Boston ferns in pots, especially during spring and summer seasons. Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks to maintain optimal growth; once temperatures cool off, feed once every month or so to maintain healthful plants.
Monitor the soil for signs of overwatering. A high proportion of sand will absorb too much moisture, potentially leading to overwatering. To avoid this issue, opt for lightweight materials like peat moss, perlite and vermiculite which retain some moisture but drain away quickly when watered; an indoor saucer can assist with watering but must be regularly emptied to avoid oversaturation of its root ball with moisture; use your finger or moisture meter before watering your boston fern – otherwise allow enough time for drying out before watering again – to prevent rootball saturation!
Fertilizing
Boston ferns thrive in the damp environment found below rainforest canopy, making them ideal houseplants but intolerant to extreme heat or cold. They prefer warm temperatures of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity above 80 percent – this can be achieved by setting your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water or misting it regularly.
Help your fern grow by regularly switching its position or rotating it indoors like you would an indoor citrus plant, as this ensures all sides receive equal amounts of light for healthy development.
If your fern begins to wilt or develop yellow fronds, it could be suffering from an insect infestation. Mealybugs and fungus gnats are often culprits; caterpillars and snails may damage outdoor plants. Check for these insects regularly and treat accordingly with insecticidal soap or neem oil solutions as necessary.
Houseplants should generally avoid being fertilized during winter or when repotted. This allows their soil to adjust to changes in environment. However, if your fern appears to be losing leaves or experiencing reduced growth rates it could need some fertilizer.
Boston Ferns thrive in soil mixes rich in organic matter, such as 60 percent peat moss to 40 percent coarse sand, perlite or vermiculite. Boston Ferns require well-draining soil; so select one with excellent drainage.
Fertilize your boston fern with general houseplant fertilizer once a month during spring and summer for optimal growth; however, avoid overfeeding it or it will become leggy.
Once the growing season is over, discontinue fertilizing your boston fern until its dormant phase ends or after it has been repotted and reduced frequency and strength of dosing is initiated. At this time, reduce both frequency and dose strength accordingly.
Pruning
Boston ferns tend to grow unrulily if left without regular pruning, resulting in more attractive plants that fit more harmoniously with home environments. Pruning encourages bushy growth while correcting legginess in long-lived plants that have reached too long an age. Pruning should take place during spring or summer; for indoor purposes, the ideal time is during repotting as it allows easy cutting back of foliage.
Use clean, sharp shears to trim discolored fronds and dead leaves from your fern, cutting just above its base near its soil line. Doing this will give the plant a fresher appearance while simultaneously channeling energy towards new growth.
Avoid overwatering ferns to avoid root rot and powdery mildew issues. Aim for at least a quarter of soil drying out between watering sessions to help avoid brown frond tips caused by lack of moisture.
Regularly inspect ferns for signs of pests. A neglected fern may become susceptible to mites and aphids, root rot, black spot, southern blight and rust issues if left alone for too long. Look out for brown, dry or yellowed leaves with wilting or slimy appearance to identify these issues.
Boston Ferns thrive indoors when exposed to bright indirect light and high humidity levels, and should be kept away from drafty doors and heating vents as exposure to low temperatures or low humidity levels could harm their fronds.
Outdoors, the fern can be moved into a sheltered location for summer temperatures up to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and tolerate direct sun without scorching its fronds or dehydrating the plant. Regularly monitor for insects or disease and provide extra protection during sudden cold fronts with light covers; cut it back down to four inches above the ground in autumn to overwinter outdoors and it will emerge with full greenery come spring with new growth!
Temperature
Boston ferns thrive best in cool to moderately warm locations (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), but cannot tolerate extremes in temperature or light conditions – frost-killing temperatures below 40 F will kill them, while hot weather exceeding 85F can wilt their fronds and slow growth. Furthermore, direct sunlight may scorch their leaves; therefore ferns require indirect lighting with filtering systems in the form of windows and heating vents for best results.
When bringing indoor ferns for winter, expect some leaf drop and paler-looking foliage as your plants adjust to their new environments and adjust more completely over time. However, if there is excessive leaf loss or soil fungus development on their surfaces, use fungicide or transfer into another container immediately for treatment.
Humidity is of critical importance when overwintering Boston ferns. They require humid conditions in their environment in order to reach their fullest potential, with moist soil conditions but without becoming waterlogged. To increase humidity, group houseplants together and mist them regularly – or place a pebble and water tray beneath their pots as this may help.
Outdoor ferns often become infected with fern blight, a fungal condition in which their fronds turn grey and roots brown. While this disease can be treated using fungicide, repotting into fresh soil will prevent its return and reduce any chance of future outbreaks.
Overwintered boston ferns typically emerge from their dormant state come spring. This is especially true of cultivars such as Dallas or Kimberly Queen which are more tolerant of cooler temperatures and dry conditions than their original species counterparts. Properly overwintered ferns should also be less vulnerable to insect infestation and fungal infection such as root rot; both conditions often arise when plants are kept too compactly within small containers, lacking enough room for their roots to expand properly. Therefore, it’s recommended that as they grow repot into larger, well-draining containers every year so your ferns remain healthy!
