It thrives outdoors as well in warm humid climates of USDA zones 9-11. Otherwise, it may get challenging to save your plant. Always re-pot into a bigger pot each time to allow more growth than the previous one. This makes the plant a good choice for shady, damp areas, providing a spark of bright color where few other plants will grow. If youre using a previously used container, be sure to clean out the pot with hot water and soap. Ferns can continue to grow for years if you properly overwinter them. You can propagate Boston ferns by root division. Once you are sure of the conditions outside, it is important to choose a soil mix that will keep your Boston fern properly nourished and watered. Required fields are marked *. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you dont have the right conditions indoors for overwintering Boston ferns, allow them to go dormant and store in a garage, basement, or outdoor building where temperatures dont go below 55 degrees F. (13 C.). Do not forget to give the plant more humidity by constantly misting or adding a humidifier. New Hampshire Cooperative Extension: Do Ferns Make Good Houseplants? Will my Boston fern come back? Overwatering your Boston fern can result in root rot, which causes your fern's fronds to turn grey and its roots to brown. Don't fertilize until spring and don't move them unless it's to follow the sun. The shady undergrowth where Boston ferns naturally grow should be duplicated. (+How To Prune), Can Boston Fern Grow In Water? Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Its sword-shaped, blue-green foliage contains tiny leaflets and grows erect, arching only when fronds grow larger. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Can Boston ferns survive the extreme cold? Otherwise, feed the plant occasionally throughout the growing season, using a dilute mixture of a regular, water-soluble fertilizer. Preferably, these plants should be sheltered from winds because winds dry out the soil faster. Dont fertilize Boston ferns throughout the winter. How long can I leave my Boston fernRead More In winter, you can give 2-3 hours of early morning sunlight to your Boston ferns to give them some warmth. However, if youre in a sunnier place it needs about four hours of direct sunlight daily, so they should be placed in an east-facing window or near a south-facing window. I live in San Francisco, can I plant my Boston fern outside my front door which faces west? With proper care, a Boston Fern can live up to 5-6 years in optimal conditions. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. You have to continue misting your Boston fern in summer and use pebble trays or humidifiers to increase the humidity around the Boston fern, as the ferns can get dehydrated easily if not taken care of. For garden ferns, perform a late fall cutback and withhold fertilization. Sword ferns hail from swamps and rainforests in south America and the West Indies, which gives plenty of clues about the conditions that the Boston fern likes - a warm, humid atmosphere, moist soil and no direct sunlight. Boston ferns can grow as perennials in most areas and live for three or more seasons. It is important to provide enough space and adequate light, water, and fertilizer. of leaf mulch, compost, or finely chopped bark. How do you know if you are watering your ferns properly? Standing water is never a good thing for your plants. You can also divide a Boston fern. Here is the Boston fern care that you can use to grow them outdoors. Check your plants daily, and on hot days, check more than once. Boston ferns are comfortable growing in mild average range temperatures. Move your potted fern to a warm, bright, and humid location. Learn How To Care For Ferns In Hanging Baskets. Its also important to ensure they are not placed in direct sun or too close to a heat vent, as the heat can burn their delicate leaves. Boston fern's chill sensitivity hinders its healthy growth and proper leaf formation because this plant is simply not adapted to sudden drops in temperature. This can be accomplished by sprinkling gravel, crushed eggshells, or coffee grounds at the base of the plant. As long as you have a moist and shady environment, ferns provide an easy way to spruce up your garden with layers of green texture. Ferns always soften up the look of a room. Boston ferns are sensitive to both certain amounts of cold and heat, which affect their growth. Keep the soil moist, but take care not to over-water. To create the ideal environment for your plant, place it in a room that gets bright, indirect light throughout most of the day, such as an east-facing window. Water the plant deeply whenever the top inch (2.5 cm.) It requires easy maintenance during the summer and spring seasons. If you live in an area with average winters, you must bring the plant indoors. Boston fern prefers rich organic soils. Mulch the soil to protect against the loss of moisture. Watch on Boston ferns, or Nephrolepis exaltata, can live in low light, though they prefer bright, indirect sunlight. From choosing baby's name to helping a teenager choose a college, you'll make . Firstly, you need to cut off any dead foliage, which will encourage new growth the following year. Simply remove dead fronds as needed to keep the plant looking attractive. Since Boston ferns tend to be planted in potting mixtures that are high in peat moss, it is a good idea to soak the pot of the Boston fern once a month or so to make sure the peat moss is fully hydrated. They germinate, grow to full maturity, reproduce and then die within one year. Fill a pot halfway full with potting soil (for indoor plants) or dig a new hole in the garden (for outdoor plants). Potted ferns require extra care in the wintertime. . How much sunlight does a Boston fern need? If the temperature outside is consistently below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, it's a good idea to bring your ferns indoors for the winter season. If I do this: If the inside of your house doesnt provide the right conditions, allow your ferns to go dormant and store them in your garage, basement, or outdoor building where the temperatures dont dip below 55. For this reason, Boston fern is a good choice for a porch plant that receives filtered sun in the morning and afternoon shade. It is evergreen in colder climates and semi-evergreen in warmer regions. Miracle Grow is an all-purpose fertilizer that can be applied to plants, shrubs, and turf. Required fields are marked *. Aim to mist the fern foliage at least twice a day. Outdoor plants can be cropped to four inches above the ground to overwinter. The cold wind blowing on them through these spaces will affect the health of your ferns. In North America, it is considered a classic houseplant and is easy to care for, as it doesnt require a lot of sunlight. Finally, it is important to ensure that water is not overly cold, as this can damage the plant. Mulching helps Boston ferns because that mirrors the natural conditions of a forest floor and helps the fern retain moisture by blocking water loss. Boston fern is a lush, old-fashioned plant valued for its lacy, bright green foliage. Written by MasterClass Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 5 min read Whether you plant them in a hanging basket or grow them as a groundcover, ferns bring tropical ambiance to any home shade garden. Boston ferns, for example, make for excellent summer decoration in most of the US, but can only survive the winters outside in the milder southern and coastal states. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant lightly on hot days. Though Boston ferns love warmth, they cannot tolerate extremely hot weather. A Boston fern grown outside can become a target for whiteflies, mealybugs, and chewing insects, like snails, slugs, and caterpillars. If outdoor, keep them in the shade under trees or patio. Mist frequently until you see the prothallia sprout, and then water the seedlings on a regular schedule to maintain moist soil conditions. Yes, its important to cut the dead leaves off your fern. Boston ferns crave warmth and humidity, so if they grow in areas of mild winters and less extreme weather, then your plant will live for years. of soil feels dry to the touch, then let the pot drain thoroughly before you return the plant to its drainage saucer. Additionally, it is also important to make sure that your Boston fern gets plenty of light and moisture Miracle Grow alone will not make the fern thrive. Some hardy varieties such as the alpine maidenhair, Hardy Maiden Hair and Brake Fern, can tolerate much cooler temperatures down to freezing. Resume feedings and regular watering when new shoots appear in the soil. On hot days the fern may require a second watering. Winter is generally a time of very low humidity, which can quickly dry out the ferns soil. Use compost, mulch, or finely chopped bark to enrich your soil for better fern growth. Humidity is also important for Boston ferns; dry air can cause the tips to brown and curl up. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You also want to make sure youre moving your ferns to an area with indirect light and high humidity, such as a bathroom or covered porch. Furthermore, you should bring the fern back inside when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in order to protect it. Boston Fern Care TIP! If you dont want your plant to grow larger, remove it from the pot, shake off the soil, and trim back the roots. Mist your Boston fern frequently to increase the humidity. A great way to do this is by spraying them with an anti-dessicant, which helps protect the leaves from dehydration and frost damage. like plastic or glazed terracotta pots with ample drainage holes. From the elaborate discussion we just had, the confusion regarding the lifespan of your Boston fern is clear. If possible, try to keep your Boston fern out of direct sunlight and out of excessively hot or cold drafts from open doorways. With the right environment and care, it's possible for a Boston fern to survive for upwards of 15 to 20 years. Jon VanZile was a writer for The Spruce covering houseplants and indoor gardening for almost a decade. If you live in a subtropical zone that doesnt frost or have freezing temperatures, overwintering Boston ferns outside is possible. With the right care, the fern will recover from the root pruning stress and bloom. For example, sprinkle a coarse substance such as dry eggshells, coffee grounds, or diatomaceous earth around the slug; the sharp substance abrades their slimy outer coating. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Next, give your fern a good haircut by trimming off the side fronds at the base with sharp shears. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 3. Most tropical plants are not accustomed to tolerating harsh winters. Feed the fern frequently throughout its growing season. If you live in colder regions, keep your Boston ferns in containers so that you can move them into a sheltered location in the winter months. Only those living in USDA zones 8b-11 can attempt to do so without killing their plants. The key to successfully growing a Boston fern is to keep the soil lightly moistbut not soggyduring the spring and summer when it is actively growing. Keep your Boston fern away from direct sunlight. First, let the soil dry out and remove the plant from its pot. In USDA Hardiness Zones 8b through 11, its possible to provide outdoor winter care for Boston fern. Perennial plants like Boston ferns grow year after year and continue growing through several maturation phases. That's a slim chance in naturally cold areas, so it's safe to say that Boston ferns don't survive the winter outside in most areas. If the fern gets hard frost once, it will not survive that. Use sharp, sterilized shears to prune your Boston fern. Boston ferns thrive in the subtropical areas of Florida. Boston fern prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 F. They cant tolerate extreme heat or extreme cold. A Boston Fern can live up to five to six years if kept in proper care. Alternatively, provide a slow-release fertilizer in spring, and again six to eight weeks later. These climates allow these plants to grow for years in these hanging baskets, but gardeners in the North typically only grow ferns in hanging baskets as annuals. Use slug pellets if absolutely necessary. Although Boston ferns are relatively pest-resistant, they are susceptible to damage by slugs. Its not as hard as you might think! When it gets too crowded, the fern isnt able to absorb all the nutrients it needs to survive the winter, so pruning the fronds is a good way to promote healthy growth. Gardeningdream.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If a porch is not available, be sure the Boston fern receives light but is protected from direct sunlight by light-loving plants. Here are some tips for keeping potted ferns healthy during the colder months: 1. The plant can grow quite large if given the right . Give Plenty of Water Boston ferns aren't drought-friendly plants; they need plenty of water to survive. Fern is a tall perennial that makes an excellent specimen plant. Being tropical plants, moisture is extremely crucial for Boston ferns. What Causes the Fronds on a Boston Fern to Turn Yellow or Brown? Manage Settings Your email address will not be published. Place your pot in a warm area in your home, out of direct sunlight. Ferns need higher levels of humidity than other plants, so misting the ferns can help reduce dehydration on colder days. One of the most common is incorrect watering; too little or too much water will cause the tips of the fronds to turn brown and eventually die. Boston Fern Propagation: How To Divide And Propagate Boston Fern Runners, Boston Fern Fertilizer - Tips For Fertilizing Boston Ferns, Boston Fern Turning Brown: Treating Brown Fronds On Boston Fern Plant, English Ivy Alternatives Grow These Native Plants Instead, 10 Native Spirea Japonica Bush Alternatives, Hyacinth Forcing Indoors: How To Force A Hyacinth Bulb, Yellow Garden Design: Designing Garden Scheme With Yellow Plants, What Is Rejuvenation Pruning: Tips For Hard Pruning Plants, Planting Forced Paperwhites: Forcing Instructions For Paperwhites, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Many home gardeners buy Boston ferns in spring and use them as outdoor decorations until cold temperatures arrive. Peat moss and perlite can be added to the soil to improve airflow to the roots while ensuring proper drainage. Be sure to let it drain thoroughly after this. Taking care of a dormant Boston fern is no big deal. When the roots fill the pot, you can divide your fern and repot half of it elsewhere. Like several other fern species, Boston fern is a slow grower and is best planted outdoors in the fall or spring or indoors year-round. You should also check for pests, which can often be found on the underside of the leaves, and remove any that you find. Boston fern is very easy to propagate by division. The remainder of the plant can be clipped along the outer edges to the desired shape. Brown tips on a Boston fern can be caused by a variety of factors. Over-watering is problematic; it leads to the development of root rot.
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how long do boston ferns live outside
