The Boston Fern - Graceful & Elegant

- Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis, a.k.a. Sword Fern

The Boston Fern, popularized during the Victorian Era, remains a truly elegant houseplant and is not nearly as finicky as some would have you believe.

History of the Boston Fern

The Boston Fern was first imported to Boston, Massachusetts in 1894, hence the name, and has graced our parlors and porches ever since.

Boston Ferns are members of the Lomariopsidaceae family. They are characterized by long, vibrant green, arching fronds featuring alternating leaflets (see detail photo below). As a tropical plant native to such areas as Florida, Central and South America, and the West Indies, the Boston Fern is considered a perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11.

Boston Fern Care Guide

• As a tropical plant, Boston Ferns appreciate a humid environment which make them an excellent choice as an accent plant for your bathroom.
• If humidity is low, (leaflet edges may exhibit some browning) you can mist them several times a week with a spray bottle. Alternatively, a tray filled with gravel and water may also be placed under the pot as an additional source of humidity.
• Boston Ferns do routinely drop leaves, so don't become alarmed if you see a few dry, brown leaflets on the floor. As new fronds mature and drape over the older fronds beneath, they block light to those fronds, naturally causing some leaf drop.
• To keep your Boston Fern looking its' best, carefully clip out dead fronds as close to the base of the plant as possible.
• Ferns prefer bright indirect light and moderate temperatures (60-75°F), preferably a bit cooler at night.
• Keep your fern's soil moist, but not wet. If fronds are turning yellow or showing signs of wilt, you are watering too much. Boston Ferns are actually quite drought tolerant, so if you forget to water every now and then, they are quite forgiving and resilient.
• Finally, fertilize once a month during the summer months with a dilute household plant fertilizer.

Propagating Boston Ferns

The easiest way to propagate Boston Ferns is simply to divide them when they become root bound. Spring is an excellent time to divide, before active growth starts. Remove the fern from its' pot and slice the roots into divisions using a sharp, clean kitchen knife. Replant in fresh, well-drained soil. Given time, the "new" ferns will fill out nicely.

Another important consideration for those of us with four-footed friends, the Boston Fern is considered non-toxic to household pets. 

Still not sure about adding such a lovely plant to your home? Take some time and read up a bit more, boost your confidence and hone your skills. An excellent place to start is The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual: Essential Gardening Know-How for Keeping (Not Killing) More Than 160 Indoor Plants.  What else can I say? The title says it all. Be sure to check out the customer reviews this particular book has received.

Consider adding a Boston Fern to your indoor decor. They look equally lovely on pedestal-type stands, in clay pots or wicker planters. Quite exotic really. Enjoy!

Please refer to our Houseplants Archive for additonal articles.