- Types of Fertilizer. Boston ferns need a light complete fertilizer, with a balance of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.
- Newly-planted Boston Fern. Newly planted Boston ferns needs a 60 percent peat-based potting mixture with 40 percent coarse sand or perlite, according to the University of North Dakota Extension.
- Established Boston Fern. Established Boston ferns respond well to light fertilization during the growing season, beginning in April, with repeated applications on a monthly basis until September.
- Over-fertilizing. Overfeeding damages Boston ferns. In container-grown ferns, over-fertilization leaves high concentrations of soluble salts in the soil, which damages the plant's roots.
What kind of fertilizer for Boston ferns?
If you prefer an organic fertilizer, Boston fern responds well to fish emulsion. For outdoor potted plants, mix 1 tablespoon fertilizer in 1 gallon of water to treat 1 cubic foot of soil.
How do you take care of a Boston fern plant?
In the winter, it is also recommended that distilled water be used once a month to water the Boston fern to help flush out any salts that may have built up in the soil due to the Boston fern fertilizer that has been used.
What do you feed ferns?
Also when feeding the fern plant, its best to feed them sparingly and with a slow-release liquid food. Fern plants need more nutrients when they begin to have new fronds uncurling from the center of the plant.
What kind of soil do Boston ferns like?
They like consistently moist but well-drained soils. Boston ferns grown indoors should be placed near a window, but not in direct sunlight. Boston ferns will grow as large as the pot allows. Many Boston ferns are sold as hanging baskets in plastic pots, and it’s fine to leave them that way if desired.
How do I keep my Boston fern happy?
Water. The key to successfully growing a Boston fern is to keep the soil lightly moist—but not soggy—during the spring and summer when it is actively growing. This usually requires weekly waterings for indoor plants and more frequent waterings for those grown outside in warm environments.
How often feed Boston ferns?
every two weeksFertilizing Boston Fern Care of Boston fern also requires regular feeding in spring and summer. You can fertilize your plant every two weeks with a balanced plant food such as 20-20-20 used at half strength.
Can you use Miracle Grow on ferns?
Ferns prefer lightweight, moist, mostly well-drained soil. The best way to prepare the soil for ferns is to add Miracle-Gro® All Purpose Garden Soil to the planting area.
Should I Feed Boston fern?
One of the lesser known care tips for a Boston fern is that they do not need much fertilizer. Fertilizer should only be given to the plant a few times a year. Boston ferns are susceptible to some pests, especially spider mites and mealybugs.
How do you make Boston ferns greener?
Here are a few of the factors that may cause them to turn yellow.Ferns can stay lush and green all year round!Boston Ferns love shade and moist soil.Epsom salt has minerals perfect for fern growth and fern care.Ferns love shady spots in the yard. A little Epsom salt every month will keep them healthy.
Are coffee grounds good for Boston ferns?
It's also vital to use coffee grounds in a way that won't harm your plants or the microorganisms in the soil. The simple answer is that yes, ferns love coffee!
When should I fertilize my Boston fern?
Fertilizing Boston Ferns in Summer In the spring and summer, Boston ferns need to be fertilized once a month. The proper Boston fern fertilizer to use in summer is a water soluble fertilizer mixed at half strength. The fertilizer should have an NPK ratio of 20-10-20.
What plant food is best for ferns?
Ferns are relatively light feeders compared to many other foliage plants. They prefer a balanced fertilizer, such as 20-10-20 or 20-20-20, with micronutrients applied at approximately 200 ppm nitrogen.
What does Epsom salt do for ferns?
They help in chlorophyll production, healthy plant growth, and resistance against diseases and pest. Both of them are required if you want to grow Lush and Green Ferns.
Why does my Boston fern have brown tips?
Answer. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) growing indoors may look a bit spare in winter or early spring. Brown tipping of the fronds (leaves) is most likely a result of low humidity and perhaps drying out a little too much between winter waterings. The indoor environment may also be a little too drafty or cold.
How often should you water a Boston fern?
Many people fear they will overwater their fern but Boston ferns crave water and need daily watering when outdoors, especial on hot summer days. On really hot days it's a good idea to water your fern twice a day.
Why is my Boston fern drying out?
Lack of watering – Boston ferns need water and plenty of it. Although they can tolerate drier conditions than other ferns, they still should be watered every time the surface soil just starts to dry.
Should I fertilize my Boston Fern?
Boston Ferns benefit from feeding and fertilizing to help keep them healthy. Since Boston Ferns are relatively slow-growing, they don’t require a l...
How often should you fertilize a Boston Fern?
Fertilize your Boston Fern once per month only from April through to September each year.
What should I feed my Boston Fern?
Boston ferns should be fed with a balanced fertilizer comprising nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium components in either liquid or solid form.
How do I know if I’ve over-fertilized my Boston Fern?
A common sign of too much fertilizer includes brown or yellow leaf edges or stunted growth. Another indicator that you may be applying too much fer...
How, When, and Why to Fertilize Boston Ferns
Welcome to our essential guide to fertilizing Boston Fern plants at home. As houseplants, Boston ferns are prized for their bushy foliage. These dramatic plants spread themselves out with delicate fronds to create a real jungle aesthetic. The secret to getting bountiful bushy foliage from a Boston fern is to fertilize it correctly.
Fertilizing Boston Ferns – The Essentials
Boston ferns grow fairly slowly, so they won’t need a huge amount of fertilizer. Use a water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the main growing season. This should have a nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) ratio of 20-10-20. In the winter, feed these ferns sparingly with a weaker fertilizer.
The Role of Fertilizer in Plant Health and Growth
As well as resources like water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide, all plants need nutrients to survive and thrive. These are usually obtained from the soil through the plant’s roots.
Signs Your Boston Fern Needs Feeding
Boston ferns grow on the forest floor of tropical jungles in Africa and Central and South America. They’re grazers, slowly absorbing nutrients from rich sources like fallen leaves.
When and How Often Should You Fertilize Boston Ferns
The ideal time to fertilize a Boston fern is during the main growing season. This runs from spring through until the end of summer. This is when the plant is actively trying to grow, and fertilizer can provide a helping hand.
The Best Fertilizer for Boston Ferns
Every plant responds to fertilizer a bit differently, and houseplant owners should adjust to this. Boston ferns do best with water-soluble fertilizers because they can be quite sensitive to strong chemicals and salts.
How to Apply Fertilizer
Water-soluble fertilizers have the advantage of being easy to apply. Simply dilute the recommended dose of the mixture as per the instructions. Then use a watering can to apply this to your Boston fern’s soil.
How to keep Boston ferns alive in winter?
Expect some leaf drop when you bring plants indoors for the winter. If the defoliation is extreme, simply cut plants back and allow them to re-grow. Situate Boston ferns indoors in bright, indirect sunlight away from drafty doors and heating vents. Provide as much humidity as possible and carefully monitor the soil to ensure plants stay consistently moist. You can set the plants on pebble trays filled with water, so long as the pot does not sit in standing water. You may also want to use a humidifier or mist the plants with room-temperature tap water.
How to keep plants moist in a pot?
Provide as much humidity as possible and carefully monitor the soil to ensure plants stay consistently moist. You can set the plants on pebble trays filled with water, so long as the pot does not sit in standing water. You may also want to use a humidifier or mist the plants with room-temperature tap water.
Is Boston fern a houseplant?
Popular since Victorian times, Boston ferns are now among the most common houseplants. Whether you’re growing Boston ferns indoors or out, here’s what you need to know to keep them at their best.
Can you keep Boston ferns in a pot?
These types of pots take longer to dry out, making it easier to maintain the plants. It can be difficult to keep a large Boston fern well-watered enough when it is growing in coco coir or an unglazed container, unglazed pot, window box, or hanging basket.
Do Boston ferns like sun?
Boston ferns are the perfect porch plant, as they thrive in lots of indirect light. Morning sun is ideal, as full afternoon sun can burn the fronds. In humid, subtropical areas of Florida ( zones 10 to 12 ), Boston ferns make an attractive mid-height groundcover in areas with dappled shade.
Can you plant Boston Ferns in plastic?
Many Boston ferns are sold as hanging baskets in plastic pots, and it’s fine to leave them that way if desired. If you want to plant your Boston fern in different container, though, choose plastic or glazed terra cotta. These types of pots take longer to dry out, making it easier to maintain the plants.
How do Boston ferns reproduce?
Like many perennial plants, Boston ferns reproduce by growing offsets. These typically consist of a couple of fronds and a root mass that hang from the sides of an established Boston fern. They can be detached from the mother plant and potted or placed in the ground.
Can you fertilize Boston ferns?
Excess fertilizer will kill a Boston fern. Container-grown plants are especially susceptible. The plant will develop browned or dried fronds, leaf loss and/or blackened roots. Even if you don’t over-fertilize, salts tend to build up in the soil.
Can Boston Ferns grow in partial shade?
Growing Boston Ferns. Boston ferns have a few definite requirements. They need bright, indirect light indoors, although they can be grown in partial or full shade outside. Moist, fertile soil that drains well is important, as they don’t like waterlogged soil. These ferns do need some fertilizer but can suffer from over-fertilization ...
How to keep Boston Ferns alive?
Once the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius), bring your plants inside. It’s okay if they turn brown and shed; this is normal.
What is the best fern to keep alive?
If you aren’t one of those people, don’t worry – there are plants that even you can keep alive! The Boston fern is one of those plants. It’s one of the most popular ferns to grow, and its long, feather-like branches add vibrancy to any space.
How to keep ferns in the house?
Keep your house between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius), and put it in a cooler room at night. If you don’t want to invest in a humidifier, there are other options. You can place your fern in a saucer filled with small stones and water. The water will create humidity as it evaporates.
How to grow ferns in a pot?
Pot your fern. Put your mixture and plant into the clean pot with drainage holes in the bottom.The fern can be planted about half of the way to the top of the pot so that the roots have space in the soil. Fill in the rest of the pot with more potting mixture, leaving about 1 inch ( 25.4 mm) of space from the top. ...
Can you spray Boston ferns with insecticide?
Don’t use anything too harsh on your fern. Spray it with a mild insecticide or a natural insect repellant, and observe. Hopefully, this will be all you need to control any potential pests.
How to tell if a Boston fern needs to be repotted?
Boston ferns grow well in pot-bound conditions, but they will eventually need to be repotted to replenish their soil. Slow growth is a sure sign that a Boston fern needs to be repotted, as is a mass of visible roots on the surface of the soil. Also, if water has a difficult time soaking into the soil, it usually indicates that the roots have filled the pot completely, which means it is time to repot. Spring is the best time for repotting Boston ferns, although they will tolerate the process anytime during the growing season.
When is the best time to repot Boston ferns?
Also, if water has a difficult time soaking into the soil, it usually indicates that the roots have filled the pot completely, which means it is time to repot. Spring is the best time for repotting Boston ferns, although they will tolerate the process anytime during the growing season.
How to keep a plant from getting salty?
Regular watering is key for nutrient uptake and to prevent salt injury to the roots from fertilizer. Check the soil moisture with the tip of your finger often, particularly during hot weather, and water whenever it feels barely damp below the surface.
Can Boston ferns be grown outdoors?
Choosing the right fertilizer for ferns and applying it correctly can be challenging, particularly when growing the nutrient-loving yet sensitive Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). According to Missouri Botanical Garden, Boston ferns grow outdoors within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 to 12, where they will fill in shady areas of the garden with their lush, serrated foliage, although they are commonly grown as houseplants.
Do Boston ferns need fertilizer?
Boston ferns grow best when they receive nutrients from the soil rather than from fertilizer because it supplies a steady stream of fertility without the risk of burning their roots. However, light applications of diluted fertilizer throughout the growing season will help support the growth of established Boston ferns.
Can you fertilize Boston ferns?
The fertilizer should be applied to the surface of the soil rather than tilled into the bed because tilling can injure the fern's shallow roots. Organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, also makes good food for the Boston fern, according to the University of Georgia Extension.
Can Boston ferns survive drought?
High humidity is best, so set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles or frequently mist the foliage with distilled water or rainwater. Boston ferns are among the most drought-tolerant types of fern plants in cultivation, although they will not tolerate dryness for very long.
How many nutrients does a Boston Fern need?
Gardening. By Diana K. Williams. All plants need 16 different nutrients to survive. Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata “Bostoniensis”) is no exception, but it needs them in much smaller amounts than most plants. This tropical fern grows year-round outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12, ...
Why are my Boston Fern's fronds turning brown?
Too much fertilizer turns fronds brown, beginning at the tips; not enough fertilizer causes fronds to lose their color and become a pale green. Boston fern requires supplements containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium on a regular basis to keep it healthy and lush.
Why do Boston ferns die?
Dry soil is one of the number one reasons that Boston ferns die. Check the soil daily and make sure to give it some water if the soil feels at all dry. 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 ...
Why are my Boston fern leaves turning yellow?
Boston fern leaves will turn yellow if the humidity is not high enough. If your Boston fern’s fronds are turning yellow, make sure to increase the humidity around the plant. One of the lesser known care tips for a Boston fern is that they do not need much fertilizer.
Do Boston ferns need light?
Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. When you care for Boston fern plants indoors, it’s a good idea to provide additional humidity for them, especially in the winter. Most homes are rather dry, even more when heaters are running.
How to feed ferns with compost?
The most beneficial way of feeding a fern with compost is to layer the organic mulch compost on top of the soil and spread it out evenly. This is the most affective way of supplying the fern with all of the nutrients that it needs to build its root base and enable it to start growing new fronds.
What do ferns need to grow?
There are a few essential things that ferns need in addition to proper nutrients. Ferns need shade, humidity and moist soil at all times. Ferns also prefer alkaline soil; if it's difficult to provide this for the fern plant, then mix crushed limestone, oyster shell grit or cement rubble into the soil, which will provide a constant source of lime for the fern plant to feed off of.
What is a fern plant?
Fern plants are very beautiful, full and exotic looking; especially when hanging on a front porch, planted in large c lumps surrounding a group of trees, or bordering a shaded flower bed. They are so wistful with their flowing stems and their colorful shades of green. Fern plants have been around for centuries; possibly because they are so carefree ...
Is aluminum sulfate good for ferns?
Aluminum sulfate also is a beneficial nutrient for fern plants and other garden plants as well. Fern plants are very beautiful, full and exotic looking; especially when hanging on a front porch, planted in large clumps surrounding a group of trees, or bordering a shaded flower bed. Fern plants need more nutrients when they begin to have new fronds ...
Can ferns store nutrients?
About the Fern Plant. Fern plants aren't able to store nutrients like most other plants, so its best to keep them on continuous feed. Also when feeding the fern plant, its best to feed them sparingly and with a slow-release liquid food.
