Table of Contents
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.
How do you rejuvenate a Boston fern?
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. Clean out the dead leaves and check the soil for offsets — baby ferns — which can be separated and planted in their own pots.
Should ferns be cut back?
Cutting Back Your Outdoor Fern Outdoor evergreen ferns should be cut down every year. Using sharp pruners, cut the fern fronds down to the ground. Late winter or early spring is the best timing, before the new fronds start to emerge. I usually cut them down sometime in March.
Should I cut the dead leaves off my fern?
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.
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.
How do you make Boston ferns greener?
Here are a few of the factors that may cause them to turn yellow. Ferns can stay lush and green all year round! Boston Ferns love shade and moist soil. Epsom salt has minerals perfect for fern growth and fern care. Ferns love shady spots in the yard. A little Epsom salt every month will keep them healthy.
When should I prune my fern fronds?
The fronds should be left on the plant unless they have died off and then should be cut back. The green fronds continue to produce food for the plant. Removing them before they have died off reduces the amount of food produced resulting in shorter and fewer leaves the following season.
Do Boston ferns grow back?
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.
What do you do with Boston fern stolons?
Propagating Boston ferns takes one of two forms: runners, or division. Runners will extend out from the plant and will gradually develop roots. These runners are called stolons. You can remove these at the base of the old plant and repot them in sterile potting soil.
Why are the tips of 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. If your cat tends to chew on the leaves, the tips will turn brown and die.
Can you divide a Boston fern?
Propagation may also be achieved by dividing Boston fern plants. First, allow the fern roots to dry out a bit and then remove the Boston fern from its pot. Using a large serrated knife, slice the fern’s root ball in half, then quarters and finally into eighths.
What are the tendrils on a Boston fern?
A tendril is a modified form of a stem or petiole or, most often, a shoot. Usually it is thin and elongated. Tendrils are used by plants to lift themselves higher, toward the sun, usually by clinging to some support.
How do you grow a large Boston fern?
Here’s how to grow them. Grow Boston ferns indoors in bright, indirect sunlight or outside in filtered shade. Plant outdoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro® Moisture Control® Potting Mix and indoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Water frequently to keep the soil evenly moist.
How do you grow a fern bushy?
Most ferns like an evenly moist soil with regular waterings. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings stresses these plants. Bushy ferns can be difficult to water. Try using a watering can with a long spout to direct the water to the center of the plant.
How long do Boston ferns last?
If your plant becomes infested, make sure to treat the plant as quickly as possible to keep it healthy. Boston fern care is as simple as making sure that the plant is in the right environment. If you make sure that your fern is getting the right care, your plant will live for many years to come.
How often do you use Epsom salt on ferns?
Balcony Garden Web explains that Epsom salt contains sulfur, magnesium and other nutrients that aid in healthy plant growth. You can mix 2 tablespoons into 1 gallon of water and spray it onto your fern once a month.
How do you keep ferns looking good?
Ferns prefer bright, indirect light. A few hours of morning sun or gently filtered light through the cover of trees is the perfect scenario. If you have full sun on your front porch, check to see if your side or back porch would provide a less harsh environment for your plants.
How do I keep my ferns happy?
All ferns love moisture and should be given humid conditions. In living rooms and family rooms, stand their pots on trays of damp pebbles or clay granules. Ferns also love being misted at regular intervals with tepid, soft water unless the humidity of the whole room is kept high through the use of a humidifier.
