Boston Fern- Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’
The first Boston Ferns were discovered by a Boston plant distributor in 1894 in a shipment of Sword Ferns from Philadelphia. Among the stiff, upright fronds of the native Floridian Sword Ferns were plants with a graceful, draping growth habit and ruffled, vibrantly green fronds. These misfits became the ancestors of today’s Boston ferns, which are kept both as houseplants and as graceful accents to outdoor landscaping. Because of their intolerance of cold and high water intake, Boston Ferns are typically planted in pots rather than directly into landscaping. In this way, they can be grown throughout North America regardless of hardiness zone. Pedestaled planters or hanging baskets show off the exuberant abundance of Boston Fern fronds to their greatest advantage and add a note of classical elegance to a porch or sun-room. Boston Ferns prefer indirect light, cool temperatures, and high humidity. For indoor plants, this will typically mean regularly misting the fronds with water and ensuring that the soil remains moist but not sodden. Outdoor plants will require regular watering throughout the season. In areas that freeze during the winter, ferns that will not be overwintered as houseplants should be moved to sheltered areas such as a garage or shed to limit the damage done by frost. These plants will go dormant through the winter months and can be revived in the spring. This is also an excellent time to re-pot; Boston Ferns do well in potting soils with a high peat moss content, as this helps maintain adequate moisture. Fertilize Boston Ferns no more than every two weeks throughout the growing season. For extra vibrant fronds, add a few tablespoons of Epsom salts to the fern’s soil or water; the magnesium in Epsom salts promotes deep green color and lush frond growth.

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