How To Grow Boston Ferns

How to Grow Boston Ferns 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.

How often do you water a Boston fern?

Many people fear they will overwater their fern but Boston ferns crave water and need daily watering when outdoors, especial on hot summer days. On really hot days it’s a good idea to water your fern twice a day.

Where should I place my Boston fern?

Boston ferns do best in bright, indirect light. Too much shade can result in sparse fronds that aren’t their typical bright color. And too much sun can burn the fronds. So both outdoors and indoors, make sure direct sunlight won’t hit your plant.

Do potted Boston ferns come back every year?

Like many other varieties of semitropical plants, Boston fern grows as a perennial in warm climates, but won’t overwinter in areas that experience freezing temperatures. In cold climates, you must bring this type of fern indoors or grow it as an annual.

Is a Boston fern easy to grow?

Boston ferns are very hardy plants. Compared to other types of ferns, the Boston offer gardener’s easy maintenance and good growth during the spring and summer season. Boston ferns grow well in a variety of lighting and soil conditions, and they’re easy to propagate and plant around your garden.

Should I mist my Boston fern?

Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. When you care for Boston fern plants indoors, it’s a good idea to provide additional humidity for them, especially in the winter. You can also try lightly misting your fern once or twice a week to help it get the humidity it needs.

Can Boston fern take full sun?

Boston ferns are the perfect porch plant, as they thrive in lots of indirect light. Morning sun is ideal, as full afternoon sun can burn the fronds. Boston ferns grown indoors should be placed near a window, but not in direct sunlight.

How do you make Boston ferns bushy?

An ideal time for pruning is during repotting, when plants can be dramatically cut back. In fact, Boston fern responds well to severe pruning, which encourages more prolific, bushy growth and corrects dull, leggy growth. When pruning Boston fern always use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors.

How do you take care of a Boston fern in a hanging basket?

Ferns in hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly and require more frequent watering, especially during the summer months. Be careful not to overwater during the winter. Feed a fern in a hanging container every month during spring and summer using a balanced, water soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength.

When can I put my Boston fern outside?

They grow best when temperatures reach no higher than 75 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. A temperature of 95 degrees or higher may kill a Boston fern. Outdoors they should be placed in a sheltered spot where the temperature does not get this hot.

How do I make my Boston fern dormant?

If you do not have the light requirements for overwintering a Boston in the house, you can let it go dormant by placing the plant in its container in a garage, basement, or outdoor building where the temperature doesn’t go below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Light is not required, though watering once per month is.

Will a Boston fern survive outside?

Today, Boston fern is still a top pick for indoor and outdoor settings. But, because Boston fern can grow 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it are often a better choice for outdoor situations. In zones 9-11, Boston fern can be planted directly in the ground. Here’s a plant that lives up to its name.

Can I leave my fern outside in the winter?

Ferns grown in containers outdoors may survive the winter in very cold climates if you bring them indoors. Indoors, give your fern a medium level of indirect light, no additional fertilizer and a bit less water than you gave it during the growing season outdoors.

Why do Boston fern leaves turn brown?

Boston fern browning may be caused by poor soil, inadequate drainage, lack of water or humidity, too much light, excess salt, or simply mechanical injury. Or, if you fertilize too frequently and don’t leach the soil, the salt buildup will make the fern discolor.

How do you take care of a Boston fern outside?

Boston fern outdoors requires plenty of water and isn’t drought tolerant. Provide enough water to keep the soil consistently moist, but never allow the soil to remain soggy or waterlogged. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant lightly on hot days.

How can I make my fern grow faster?

Cut off any damaged fronds to encourage new growth. When you repot your ferns, split them up and make two out of one. You can also grow new ferns from the powdery spores produced in little capsules.

Can you water ferns with tap water?

You can use a regular potting mix for ferns. Tap water in most municipal areas is chlorinated, and many plants (like ferns, aroids, and many orchids) suffer from any chlorine in the water. The other issue I see a lot is dry air; it’s important to keep their environment humid with misting!Feb 6, 2020.

Why is my fern turning brown and crispy?

If you’re seeing brown leaves all over, your fern may not be getting enough moisture. Humidity is really important for ferns. If the air is too dry they’ll go crispy. If your fern is looking brown all over, try misting it more and see if it improves over the next few weeks.

Do ferns like to be misted?

Mist your ferns as often as practical, preferably in the morning. Keep a spray bottle handy and train your family members to use it whenever they pass by the fern. Stand the pot on a tray of pebbles or clay granules and keep those wet. This increases the humidity around the plant without keeping the roots soggy.

How do you make a fern greener?

Most ferns grow best in full or dappled shade. Adequate shade will produce lush, dark green foliage. We recommend 65% to 75% shade, depending on your location. (Less may be needed in the winter when the days are shorter.)Jul 15, 2010.

How do you save a dying Boston fern?

Trim the drooping fronds back to about 2 inches long and leave any healthy upright fronds in the center of the plant intact. If all fronds are drying and dying, trim them all to 2 inches. Clean out the dead leaves and check the soil for offsets — baby ferns — which can be separated and planted in their own pots.