Nephrolepis Bostoniensis – The Boston Fern. Introduced to Victorian homes well over a century ago. Earlier varieties were upright and had stiffer fronds, as they were more suitable to cold Victorian houses. Today`s varieties have adapted to our warmer homes and are more graceful. Of all the ferns the Boston is one of the easiest to care for, it makes a great plant in a hang pot, or cascading from a raised position. They do love humidity which makes them the perfect plant for a bathroom. Also recognised as one of NASA`s top ten plants to purify the air in your home.
Summer care: Boston ferns will tolerate quite a shady position, but for a happy, healthy plant, put it in bright, indirect light. Direct sun must be avoided as the leaves will scorch and shrivel.
If kept at an ideal average room temperature between 18-24c, then the Boston fern will need to be kept constantly moist. Water thoroughly when the top of the soil begins to feel just dry. Never let the compost dry out completely, this will lead to sudden leaf loss. Use water at room temperature, so not to shock the root system, and if possible rainwater is their favourite.
In addition to constant moisture, Boston Ferns love humidity. They do particularly well in kitchens or bathrooms. If the air in your room is dry then regular misting, or placing your plant on a humidity tray is helpful. This is best achieved by placing on a saucer filled with decorative stones that you add water to, stand the plant on the stones, but don`t allow the pot to touch the water. This will increase the moisture in the air around the plant.
Not heavy feeders, they only require an occasional half strength foliage liquid feed 2 or 3 times while growing.
Avoid cold draughts.
Minimum Temp: 12c
Boston Ferns don`t really require a dormant period over Winter. If temperatures are cooler then growth does slow down, so the fern will require slightly less water. Continue to water thoroughly but then allow the top 2cm of the soil to become dry before watering again.
Don`t fertilise.
Keep away from direct heat sources, and cold draughts.
If growth is good then repot into good free draining compost yearly, pot bound plants dry out too easily.
