Information On Care For Boston Fern - Care Tips For A Boston Fern

The first thing you need to do for proper Boston fern care is to make sure that it's in the right kind of environment. 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.

How often do you water a Boston fern?

Water the fern when the soil becomes damp. Do not allow the soil to dry out. This may mean watering twice a week or daily in hot weather. The frequency will change depending on the temperature and moisture in your home.

How do you look after Boston ferns?

Plant Care

Ferns need humidity as they dry out quickly. Don't let the soil go dry – water once a week at least. Keep out of draughts and away from radiators. Avoid direct bright sunlight as this will scorch the fronds.

Do Boston ferns need direct sunlight?

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. In humid, subtropical areas of Florida (zones 10 to 12), Boston ferns make an attractive mid-height groundcover in areas with dappled shade.

Why are the tips of my Boston fern turning brown?

Why is My Boston Fern Turning 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. If your cat tends to chew on the leaves, the tips will turn brown and die.

Should you mist Boston ferns?

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.

Are coffee grounds good for ferns?

In most cases, the grounds are too acidic to be used directly on soil, even for acid-loving plants like blueberries, azaleas and hollies. Coffee grounds inhibit the growth of some plants, including geranium, asparagus fern, Chinese mustard and Italian ryegrass.

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.

Can you overwater a Boston fern?

Although Boston fern prefers slightly moist soil, it is likely to develop rot and other fungal diseases in soggy, waterlogged soil. The first sign that a fern is overwatered is usually yellowing or wilted leaves. ... Boston fern watering is enhanced if you provide a humid environment.

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

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. This can best be achieved by giving them a shower.

How do you bring a Boston fern back to life?

If your Boston fern needs a larger pot, wait until it has recovered and is actively growing midspring. 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.

Do you water ferns everyday?

A large fern may require watering daily, while a small fern in the bathroom - where the humidity is high - may require less frequent watering. The key is to water the fern before the soil dries, but to avoid soggy soil. This means good drainage is vital to the health of indoor ferns.

Are Boston ferns toxic to dogs?

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis) are an enduring houseplant favorite, but their shaggy fronds might tempt cats and dogs to chew on them. The foliage is non-toxic to cats and dogs, so brighten up your guest room or bathroom with these lush plants. Boston ferns prefer humidity and lots of bright, indirect light.

Why do my Boston ferns keep dying?

The most common cause of a Boston Fern dying is overwatering or persistently waterlogged conditions. This results in root rot, that will quickly kill your plant. Low humidity, underwatering, overfertilizing, pests, or incorrect lighting can also lead to a decline or death of your plant over time.

Should I cut the dead leaves off my fern?

Clip away any brown leaves or fronds with a pair of sharp garden clippers. Removing the dead, brown leaves makes the plant grow more quickly as it encourages new growth. Do this in late winter to early spring, before new growth begins.

How do I bring my fern back to life?

Dig up your fern and add organic material or compost to the hole if you have clay soil that that doesn't drain well. Replace the fern, water it well and give it a few weeks to bounce back. Transplant the fern if it currently grows in direct sunlight and has browned leaflets or fronds.

Is Epsom salt good for Boston ferns?

Ferns grown indoors may not need Epsom salt, but if the foliage turns yellow or lower fronds turn yellow between the veins, the plant needs sulfur or magnesium, respectively. Mix two tablespoons of Epsom salt in one gallon of slightly warm water. Once dissolved, water the fern.

Do ferns need misting?

All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.

How do you save a dying maidenhair fern?

If your maidenhair fern dries out and its fronds turn brown and die, there may still be hope. Cut the fronds off at soil level, and keep the soil moist. The plant may re-grow after a few months. Even under the best conditions, your plant will end up with dead leaves and fronds.

Do ferns like Epsom salt?

Mix 1 teaspoon with 1 gallon of water and apply when watering the plant. Ferns – Epsom salts work wonders on ferns as a liquid fertilizer helping the leaves have a rich, deep dark green color. ... Apply as a drench mixing 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts to 1 gallon of water.

Do ferns do better in sun or shade?

Perennial plants that grow in nearly every country around the world, ferns provide interesting color and texture and a lush, woodsy feel to the garden. Although most ferns are woodland plants that prefer moist, shady areas, some hardy types tolerate sunlight with ample water and protection from intense afternoon light.

Can I pour coffee on my plants?

To use coffee as a plant fertilizer, you'll need to dilute it. ... You can use coffee fertilizer on your potted plants, houseplants, or in your vegetable garden. Coffee and coffee grounds can be acidic, but since we're diluting it so much, that's not really a problem unless you're watering the same plant with it every day.