Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Fern
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Partial or Dappled Shade Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Preferences:	Mesic
Soil pH Preferences:	Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5) Neutral (6.6 – 7.3) Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 9a -6.7 °C (20 °F) to -3.9 °C (25 °F)
Maximum recommended zone:	Zone 12
Plant Height:	2 to 3 feet
Leaves:	Evergreen
Underground structures:	Rhizome
Suitable Locations:	Houseplant
Uses:	Groundcover
Resistances:	Humidity tolerant
Propagation: Other methods:	Division Stolons and runners
Containers:	Suitable in 1 gallon Suitable in 3 gallon or larger Suitable for hanging baskets Needs excellent drainage in pots

Common names

Photo Gallery

This plant is tagged in:

Comments:

Posted by Sharon (Calvert City, KY - Zone 7a) on Oct 16, 2012 10:05 AM concerning plant:

Beautiful outdoors in spring, summer and fall in zone 7, the Boston fern is easy enough to overwinter inside. It's best to cut back to within a few inches to prevent small dead leaves from littering indoors. After cutting back, new fronds will soon appear and if kept fairly humid, won't shed the new leaves. It will be gorgeous again by spring.

Reply to this comment
Posted by ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Apr 6, 2022 11:48 AM concerning plant:

This is the straight species that bears erect fronds. There are a number of cultivars, especially the famous 'Bostoniensis' that bears arching fronds. It is native to much of the humid tropical world, especially in Central & South America, southern Florida, Polynesia, and Africa. The cultivars are often used as houseplants that need moist, rich potting soil, bright indoor light, and medium to high humidity. I tried growing one in my parent's house that had low light and low humidity and it died out. I took the photo of a good patch of the straight species growing as a groundcover in a soil island with a Paurotis Palm tree surrounded by pavement near a swimming pool.

Reply to this comment

Plant Events from our members
vbprog	On November 13, 2014	Obtained plant Given 2 big hanging baskets. Going to over winter inside then live outside come spring.
lemonFresh	On August 28, 2018	Obtained plant
jhugart	On July 8, 2019	Potted up Repotted into a larger pot with fresh soil. Also trimmed out dead fronds.
jhugart	On October 22, 1991	Obtained plant This is the date that my dad died. Sometime after this, we acquired this fern and had it in our own home. We didn't do much but water it until 2019.
jhugart	On June 1, 1985	Miscellaneous Event This fern was one purchased by my dad. He had it before I entered high school. I don't know the exact date, of course.
LyraLu	On October 15, 2021	Winterized brought in

Nephrolepis Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)