Moderate Fern Safe for pets

Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

The Boston fern is a plant with long drooping fronds, perfect in a hanging pot.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 5 days
Light

Medium light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

15–26 °C

How to care for your Boston Fern

Everything you need to keep your Boston Fern healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Nephrolepis exaltata has been one of the most popular indoor ferns since the 19th century. Its long arching bright green fronds can reach 90 cm long. It is beautiful in a hanging pot where its fronds can cascade freely. It requires high humidity, making it an excellent plant for bathrooms or kitchens.

Watering your Boston Fern

Every 5 days

Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist; this fern does not tolerate drying out.

How to know it needs water

Surface of substrate dry to the touch
Fronds appearing slightly less erect

How much light a Boston Fern needs

Medium light

Gentle indirect light; avoid direct sunlight which scorches the delicate fronds.

Direct sun tolerated: No direct sun
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

High (60–80%) Mist frequently or stand on a pebble tray; brown frond tips are the first indicator of insufficient humidity.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Apply monthly from March to September.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to quarter strength · 2-1-2

Repotting your Boston Fern

Every 18 months

Use a rich, humus-rich, moisture-retentive substrate with good drainage.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Compacted root ball
Substrate drying out very rapidly after watering

Pruning your Boston Fern

Remove brown or dead fronds promptly at the base throughout the year. Cut cleanly at the base of the rachis (frond stalk) with sterilised scissors.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 6 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 4 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

One of the best plants for humidifying indoor air
Appreciated since the Victorian era as an ornamental plant

Frequently asked questions about the Boston Fern

How do you care for a Boston Fern?

Water it every 5 days. Give it medium light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 15–26 °C. Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist; this fern does not tolerate drying out.

How often should you water a Boston Fern?

Every 5 days Keep the substrate consistently and lightly moist; this fern does not tolerate drying out. How to know it needs water : Surface of substrate dry to the touch ; Fronds appearing slightly less erect.

How much light does a Boston Fern need?

Medium light Gentle indirect light; avoid direct sunlight which scorches the delicate fronds. No direct sun

Is the Boston Fern toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Boston Fern is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Boston Fern leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Boston Fern?

Repot every 18 months, ideally in spring. Use a rich, humus-rich, moisture-retentive substrate with good drainage.