Boston Fern Light Conditions How Much Light Does A Boston Fern Need

A location where the plant gets at least two hours of indirect sunlight per day, preferably in the morning or late afternoon, is ideal. Boston fern light conditions must change when sunlight is more intense in spring and summer.

How much light does a Boston fern need?

The Boston fern needs bright indirect light when grown indoors (outdoors, it prefers denser shade). Some species of the Nephrolepis genus can be trained to handle almost full sun, but most species, including the N. extensis 'Bostoniensis' cultivar, prefer filtered, dappled light.

Does a Boston fern need a lot of light?

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.

How much light does a fern need indoors?

1. Ferns Need Plenty of Indirect Light. Most ferns prefer indirect light, which means you should avoid placing them where sunlight will hit them—their leaves can get scorched if you do, resulting in a dry, crispy plant. Usually, the amount of light they would get near a north- or east-facing window is perfect.

Can Boston ferns grow in shade?

Boston fern in gardens require partial to full shade, or dappled, filtered light. This makes the plant a good choice for shady, damp areas, providing a spark of bright color where few other plants will grow. The plant prefers rich, organic soil.

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.

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.

Do ferns like sun or shade?

Plant ferns in part to full shade and rich, well-drained soil. In all climates, they need protection from afternoon sun to prevent drying and leaf scorch. Ferns can reach 12 inches to 6 feet tall, depending on the type and growing conditions.

Should you mist ferns?

Misting is good for broad-leaf ferns and those of simple-leaf forms. Use less spray on crinkled varieties, which tend to collect moisture and hold it, contributing to development of fungus. Humidity can be increased in the vicinity of the plants when pots are set on trays of moist pebles or on damp sand.

Can ferns grow in low light?

Many ferns, including button, Autumn, rabbit's foot, maidenhair and more, are good options for low-light situations. Give them consistently moist soil and low to medium light.

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.

How often should Boston ferns be watered?

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.

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.

When should I bring my Boston fern inside?

Boston ferns are mainstays of hanging baskets on balconies and porches, but except in USDA zones 9 through 11, they need to be brought indoors in the winter. Before you bring your plant indoors, give it a good pruning to remove all but the healthiest fronds, and gradually acclimate it to the indoor environment.

Why is my Boston fern 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.

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.

How do you take care of a Boston fern indoors?

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 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.

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.

How often do you use Epsom salt on ferns?

You can mix 2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of water and spray it onto your fern once a month. Do this when your ferns are actively growing, and when the ferns are more dormant, reduce the ratio to 1 tablespoon per gallon.