Indoor Plant - Nephrolepsis- Boston Fern -House Plant in a Hanging Pot

Product Information

If you don’t see these indicators, fertilizing throughout the season is still a smart idea; every six to eight weeks is an appropriate space. Feed the plant with either a water-soluble fertilizer or add a slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Watch for Pests Whether you use containers or not, these plants prefer a rich, organic soil that is full of nutrients. If your garden soil is low-quality, add several inches of compost, leaf mulch, or finely chopped bark to increase the humus while also ensuring that the soil drains well. Instead, you can lift the basket up with your hands to see how heavy it is. A soil mix that still has enough water will be significantly heavier than a fern that’s desperate for water. Gather a sharp pair of garden shears, a garden trowel (for indoor plants), a spade shovel (for outdoor plants), a pot, and potting soil (for indoor plants only).

Boston Fern Care 101: Mastering the Most Finicky Fronds - Bob Vila Boston Fern Care 101: Mastering the Most Finicky Fronds - Bob

Indoors or out, the Boston fern prefers a light, fast-draining soil with an acidic pH between 5 and 5.5. A combination of one part standard potting mix combined with one part peat moss works well, as does a mix of two parts peat moss combined with one part each of perlite and vermiculite. While you might not get yours to live as long as that family did, you can aim for years and years of luscious leaves. After all, it’s a sturdy perennial. The division method works best for potted Boston ferns because it requires removing the plant from its medium. For each gallon of water, you can add two tablespoons and use it every month if your plant is in bad shape. However, if it’s not struggling, and you just want to give it some extra TLC, twice annually could be enough.It’s possible to keep potted ferns and hanging baskets outdoors, too. In that case, it can be easier to move the plant to a shaded part when the sun gets too intense in the warmer months.

Boston Fern Care Guide (Everything You Need to Know) Boston Fern Care Guide (Everything You Need to Know)

Keep your fern’s soil lightly moist at all times, but never soggy. (That means the soil should feel like a wrung-out sponge rather than one still soppy with water.) Never allow the root ball to dry out completely or the plant may die. That sometimes can require watering a hanging basket fern twice per day during the heat of summer. Spring is the best time to divide your plants, as well as repotting. First, let the soil dry out and remove the plant from its pot. Using a serrated knife, cut the roots apart. Plant each of the divisions into a new pot with fresh potting soil amended with compost and water deeply to help the roots establish in their new home. Prune Your Outside Boston FernsAlthough it’s not as common as the division method, you can still use these runners to propagate your Boston fern. Compacta: Topping out at 18 inches, this plant works for those who prefer a smaller version of the Boston fern.