Boston fern care – 3 expert tips you need to know

Boston fern care is easy when you know how. Also known as the sword fern, the Boston fern is an elegant houseplant that will create a lush look in your home, and with its fountain of bright green frilly foliage it makes one of the best indoor plants. 

The arching leaves, known as fronds, can grow up to 3ft in length, given the right conditions, and make a beautiful feature when cascading from a hanging basket or displayed in a pot on a tall stand. 

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) hail from the forests of South and Central America, and consequently prefer a warm humid atmosphere that replicates their native habitat. However, while this fern comes from swampy areas, it is an epiphyte, which means it lives among the branches of trees, so it will not be happy sitting in soggy soil.

You may find the Boston fern listed under Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’ which is a popular plain green variety. Or try the variegated form N. exaltata ‘Tiger Fern’, with its unusual yellow-streaked foliage, which is also one of the best indoor plants. 

3 essential Boston fern care tips

When it comes to Boston fern care, Tom Knight of Our House Plants says the plant is a good choice for beginners wanting to start their own indoor garden.

'It’s readily available, relatively cheap and offers a great way to enjoy lush green foliage at home,' he says.

1. Find the right light for your Boston fern

Tom Knight says this fern likes a bright or slightly shaded position: 'The Boston fern is really versatile. You can grow it on a north- or east-facing windowsill or in a sunnier room, setting it back a little.

'Just make sure you avoid spots in very low light, or in harsh sunshine such as on a south-facing sill,' he says. 

He also suggests growing them as a bathroom plant, if the light conditions are right, or as a steamy kitchen plant, where humidity levels are high. 

Tom Knight

A houseplant enthusiast that has run Ourhouseplants.com for the last 10 years. A popular website for anyone looking for success with indoor gardening or help getting their houseplants to thrive.

2. Water and feed as required

Make sure your fern’s compost is consistently moist from spring to fall. But, as with many houseplants such as the yucca or Chinese money plant, guard against soggy, wet soil by planting it in a pot with drainage holes in the base. 

Tom adds: 'Mine sits on an east-facing windowsill and I need to water it once a week, sometimes more in very warm weather.' Reduce watering in winter, applying moisture only when the top of the compost feels dry. 

If you are displaying your Boston ferns in a living or dining room, or as bedroom plant, where humidity levels are low, also be prepared to mist the leaves a couple of times a week. Or stand the plant in its pot on a tray filled with pebbles and topped up with water. Like this oval black plastic humidity tray at Walmart.

Feed with a half-strength liquid fertilizer once a month from spring to early fall to keep the foliage green and lush.

3. Keep the atmosphere moist

Like orchids, Boston ferns like humidity. The fronds may turn brown if the compost or atmosphere is too dry. Water well, making sure that you don’t overwater. As with pothos care, soggy compost can result in wilting or yellowing leaves and may cause the roots and fronds to rot. 

Ideally, water your fern over a sink and leave to drain before replacing it in its waterproof container. If the atmosphere is dry, mist the leaves regularly.

If you find dark brown spots beneath the fronds of a Boston fern, do not panic. These are not a pest or disease but the ‘spores’ by which ferns reproduce.

FAQs

Boston ferns need to be grown in the optimum light conditions, which mimic its native forest habitat. It dislikes damp soil but enjoys a humid atmosphere. The right care comes easy once you've found the best placement for it.