Pruning Boston Fern - How And When To Prune Boston Fern

You don't want to crop the top of the plant when pruning Boston fern. Instead, trim off the side fronds at the base. Also remove old, discolored fronds near the soil to allow new growth to come through. Remove the unsightly stems to the base as well.

Should ferns be cut back for winter?

Some of the lowest maintenance perennial plants are the hardy ferns. That said, they and the looks of your garden will benefit from a little simple pruning at the right time. ... At the end of winter, before new fronds begin to emerge and unfurl, I usually remove all damaged, brown or faded fronds from my evergreen ferns.

When should I prune my ferns?

Ferns are relatively easy to prune. You can prune them in early spring before the new growth begins, or even when the new growth comes in. If you want to create a shape, you can trim around the edges of the plant. When growing ferns indoors, just be sure to cut off dead or dried fronds when they appear.

How do you rejuvenate a Boston fern?

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.

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 trim a Boston fern for winter?

Do ferns need to be cut back?

Pruning of ferns needs to occur after the spores on fruiting fronds have matured and released. Trim them when they are dormant, which is during winter. They can also be pruned in very early spring. Many ferns do not object to pruning at any time of the year.

Do Boston ferns grow back?

We've answered the question, can Boston ferns stay outdoors in winter. Overwintered plants resume growth in early spring and should be lush and full again in the second year.

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. ... Or, if you fertilize too frequently and don't leach the soil, the salt build up will make the fern discolor.

Why are my outdoor ferns turning brown?

You may see brown tips on garden ferns if the soil becomes too dry. When it feels dry to touch, water slowly and deeply. Stop watering when the water runs off instead of sinking into the soil. ... If your fern has brown tips because the humidity is too low, it's best to choose another plant for the location.

How do I keep my Boston ferns healthy?

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.

Can ferns come back to life?

Most ferns are hardy plants so they revive back in a few weeks after you correct the problematic conditions. The good news is that if the fern is dead, which is usual in cold temperatures during winter, it will grow back in spring once the temperatures go up!

How often should 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.

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

Do ferns like coffee grounds?

Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. ... And if your soil is already high in nitrogen, the extra boost from coffee grounds could stunt the growth of fruits and flowers.

Should 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.

Do Boston ferns live all year?

This fern survives outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b through 11, although it is grown indoors as a houseplant for all or part of the year across a much broader range. ... Keep the Boston fern away from other houseplants to avoid accidentally spreading pests.

Can Boston ferns stay outside in winter?

Boston ferns can survive outside temperatures of 46 degrees F, but a sudden drop in temperatures may damage the foliage by causing misshapen fronds and crinkled leaflets.

Why is my Boston fern dropping leaves?

More often, the cause of Boston fern losing leaves is something in the care the plant's receiving, and that can be changed overnight. Most often when leaves or leaflets yellow, dry up and drop, it's due to one of these common problems: ... Lack of watering – Boston ferns need water and plenty of it.

How do you nurse a fern back to health?

Add a layer of compost, leaves or wood chips around the base of the fern if its fronds droop between watering. The mulch will help the fern retain moisture. Refrain from feeding your fern so you don't burn its leaves. Most outdoor ferns get enough nutrients from the soil.

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.