Your Frondy Friend, the Boston Fern
One of the most popular varieties of fern is the Boston fern. This wide-spreading plant with beautiful arching fronds (divided leaves) makes a wonderful addition to the home. The fronds or leaves of this fern can grow as long as 2-3 feet and 4-6 inches in width.
It’s good for you!
A Boston Fern does a great job removing formaldehyde from the air. (NASA Clean Air Study Guide)
Fun fact:
Ferns are an ancient group of plants. From the fossil record, scientists consider that land plants emerged from the water around 475 million years ago. By about 400 million years ago, vascular plants had separated from non-vascular plants, and soon after this, ferns separated off. By about 350 million years ago, some of the major families of ferns are seen in the fossil record. This makes ferns older than most land animals – some invertebrate animals were on land by this time – and far older than dinosaurs! (sciencelearn.org)
LIGHT
It prefers bright, indirect light and will be happy sitting close to a window that gets lots of sunlight.
WATER
It’s important to never allow ferns to become dry at the roots.
Water once or twice a week but make sure that the top 1″ – 2″ of the soil is dry before watering. On extra hotter days, water plants as often as necessary to keep the potting mix thoroughly moist as it may dry out quicker.
If leaves are turning pale, it needs water. If they’re turning crispy and brown, it’s being overwatered.
HUMIDITY
If your indoor air is too dry, mist your fern lightly at a couple of times a week to make up for the lack of humidity in the air.
TEMPERATURE
Boston Ferns love warmer spots. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is the ideal temperature for them.
TOXICITY
It’s non-toxic to animals or humans
EXTRA LOVE
Do not place them near heating or air-conditioning vents. The plant doesn’t like direct cold or hot air.
