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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.
How often should you water a Boston fern?
Many people fear they will overwater their fern but Boston ferns crave water and need daily watering when outdoors, especial on hot summer days. On really hot days it’s a good idea to water your fern twice a day.
Where should I place my Boston fern?
Boston ferns do best in bright, indirect light. Too much shade can result in sparse fronds that aren’t their typical bright color. And too much sun can burn the fronds. So both outdoors and indoors, make sure direct sunlight won’t hit your plant.
How many hours of sun can a Boston fern take?
One to three hours of direct sun will grow ferns tight, compact and beautiful. Avoid southern, sunny windows. East, west or north exposure is best. Ferns grow well without sun when temperatures stay above 75° and have higher humidity.
How much shade do Boston ferns need?
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.
Can Boston ferns take 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. Boston ferns grown indoors should be placed near a window, but not in direct sunlight.
Why are the tips of my Boston ferns 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. If your cat tends to chew on the leaves, the tips will turn brown and die.
When can I put my Boston fern outside?
They grow best when temperatures reach no higher than 75 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. A temperature of 95 degrees or higher may kill a Boston fern. Outdoors they should be placed in a sheltered spot where the temperature does not get this hot.
Will a Boston fern survive outside?
Today, Boston fern is still a top pick for indoor and outdoor settings. But, because Boston fern can grow 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, it are often a better choice for outdoor situations. In zones 9-11, Boston fern can be planted directly in the ground. Here’s a plant that lives up to its name.
How do you take care of a Boston fern in a hanging basket?
Ferns in hanging baskets tend to dry out quickly and require more frequent watering, especially during the summer months. Be careful not to overwater during the winter. Feed a fern in a hanging container every month during spring and summer using a balanced, water soluble fertilizer mixed to half strength.
Can a fern take full sun?
A limited number of ferns tolerate full sunlight; however, frequent watering and consistently moist soil is critical. Sun-tolerant ferns include cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) which reaches heights of 24 to 36 inches and grows in USDA zones 2 through 10.
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.
Do ferns like to be misted?
Mist your ferns as often as practical, preferably in the morning. Keep a spray bottle handy and train your family members to use it whenever they pass by the fern. Stand the pot on a tray of pebbles or clay granules and keep those wet. This increases the humidity around the plant without keeping the roots soggy.
Can a Boston fern live in a bathroom?
They’ll do well on a bathroom shelf, where they can enjoy the humidity. This typically fussy plant adores humidity, so the bathroom is actually your best bet if you want to display it indoors. Boston ferns also need high light levels, and they drop leaves often, so be prepared to pick up after them.
Can a Boston fern survive the winter outside?
Those in subtropical zones without frost and freezing temperatures can learn how to overwinter a Boston fern outdoors. In USDA Hardiness Zones 8b through 11, it’s possible to provide outdoor winter care for Boston fern.
Do Boston ferns come back every year?
Like many other varieties of semitropical plants, Boston fern grows as a perennial in warm climates, but won’t overwinter in areas that experience freezing temperatures. In cold climates, you must bring this type of fern indoors or grow it as an annual.
How often do you water ferns in hanging baskets?
In general, water plants in hanging baskets when the soil surface becomes dry to the touch. On hot, sunny days it may be necessary to water once a day. When watering hanging baskets, be sure to apply water until water begins to flow out the bottom of the container.
Do ferns do well in shade?
Ferns are a natural inhabitant of shady areas, most commonly found where they will get at least some sun during part of the day or where they will receive dappled sunlight most of the day. In fact most ferns will not grow that well in real dense shade, they need a bit of sun to grow their best.
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.
Should I cut off brown fern leaves?
To improve their appearance, you should prune out any brown or yellow fronds from indoor ferns. Pruning out these dead fronds also improves airflow around the plant, which helps reduce fungal or mold problems. If you find your indoor fern’s fronds frequently die back, check the 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.
Why is my Boston fern crispy?
Yellow, limp, rotting fronds, especially in the center of a Boston fern, mean the plant is being over-watered. Crispy leaves indicate the fern needs more water. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough.
