Some people are born with a green thumb - a talent for gardening - and their homes are filled with healthy, lush plants. If you're not one of those people, however, don't worry - there are plants that even you can keep alive! The Boston fern is one of them. It is one of the most cultivated species of fern and its long, feather-like branches make any environment more beautiful. You can help your Boston fern grow well indoors or in the garden with some information and some loving care.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Creating the Right Environment
Step 1. Get the supplies for the vase
Boston ferns grow best in a potting soil consisting of sphagnum peat, sand, and earth. You can purchase all of these products at a garden store. The soil you will get should consist of these three elements in equal parts. The pot must be large enough to comfortably accommodate the plant, without the roots being too close to the drainage holes; however, make sure they are not too far away either, otherwise they could rot.
Step 2. Put the fern in the pot
Pour the soil you prepared into a pot with drainage holes and place the plant inside. You can plant it about halfway up the pot, so that the roots have enough space. Fill the rest of the pot with more potting soil, leaving about 2-3 cm of space from the top edge.
Step 3. Place the fern outdoors in a warm, humid environment
In many places, summers are hot and humid, the perfect climate for a Boston fern. These plants grow best in environments with humidity levels above 50%. If temperatures range from 18 to 24 ° C during the day and 13 to 18 ° C at night, the fern will enjoy good health even outdoors. It will also grow well on the porch or terrace.
Cooler night temperatures help prevent fungal overgrowth
Step 4. Place the Boston fern in a suitable room in the house
If you have decided to keep the plant indoors all year round or for the winter months, you need to pay attention to the humidity level of the environment. The best thing to do is to put it in a room with a humidifier. Keep the temperature in your home between 18 and 24 ° C by moving the plant to a cooler room at night.
If you don't want to invest in a humidifier, you have other options at your disposal. You can place the fern over a saucer filled with pebbles and water which, as it evaporates, will create moisture
Step 5. Make sure the fern is exposed to indirect sunlight
Boston ferns grow best when they receive indirect, filtered sunlight. If you keep your plant outdoors, place it in a spot where it receives the sun's rays through tree branches or porch roof crevices. If you keep it indoors, put it near a window. Do not leave it in the shade, but also avoid keeping it in direct sunlight. You have to find the right balance.
Part 2 of 2: Keeping the Fern Healthy
Step 1. Keep the soil moist
As with sunlight, your Boston fern needs enough water, but not too much. Water it with warm water, so that the soil is completely wet but not soggy. During the hot summer months you need to water it more often. Make sure the soil is never completely dry.
In winter the fern does not grow. You can water it less frequently and you should wait for the soil to dry before giving more water. When new branches appear, start watering the plant more often, so that the soil is always moist
Step 2. Feed the fern every few months
These plants don't need a lot of care, but it's helpful to feed them during the hottest times of the year, about every 60 days. Purchase plant fertilizer at a garden store. Read the instructions on the package and dilute it in half.
During the winter months, you can avoid feeding ferns
Step 3. Prune any fronds that have lost color or are leafless
The fronds are the parts covered with leaves, similar to branches, that depart from the plant. Older ones can lose color or leaves, so they are not very pretty to look at. Prune them to the base with sharp, clean scissors. This way, new healthy fronds will grow.
The best times to prune the Boston fern are spring and summer, during the growth phase
Step 4. Protect the fern from insects
Fortunately, Boston ferns aren't usually the target of insects, but they can still attract pests. Avoid using harsh products on these plants. Apply a mild insecticide or natural insect repellent and see what happens. Hopefully, you won't need to do anything else to keep infestations under control.
Step 5. Keep the ferns in a dormant state during the winter
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to ensure your Boston fern survives through the winter. Once the temperature drops below 4.5 ° C, bring it indoors. It is normal for it to turn brown and lose its leaves. Water it no more than once a week and avoid feeding it with fertilizer.
