To understand our needs, you must first know where we come from. We Boston Ferns (*Nephrolepis exaltata*) are native to the humid, dappled-light understories of tropical forests in regions like Florida and Central and South America. Here, we thrive in consistently warm temperatures, high humidity, and moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. We are protected from harsh, direct sunlight by the canopy of taller trees above. This is the environment we are genetically programmed for, and any outdoor placement must strive to replicate these conditions as closely as possible.
For those of you in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, we can live outdoors year-round with minimal protection. For those in cooler climates, summer is our time to shine outside! Once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 55°F (13°C), it is safe to move us outdoors. We will revel in the fresh air and increased humidity. The key is placement: we demand a spot with bright, indirect light or light shade. A covered porch, under a dense tree, or on the north or east side of your house is perfect. Direct afternoon sun will scorch our delicate fronds, causing them to turn yellow and crispy. Please keep our soil consistently moist (but not waterlogged) and mist our fronds frequently during hot, dry spells.
As daylight shortens and temperatures begin to drop, we start to sense the change. We are extremely sensitive to frost and cold drafts. You must be vigilant and bring us back indoors well before the first frost is forecast. A sudden cold snap can be fatal, causing immediate and severe damage to our foliage and root system. The process of moving us indoors is also a critical time. Please check our fronds thoroughly for any hitchhiking pests like aphids or spider mites and gently treat us if necessary. You may also notice some fronds yellowing or dropping as we adjust to the lower light levels indoors; this is a normal part of our acclimation process.
For the vast majority of you, we cannot survive outdoors in winter. We are not frost-tolerant whatsoever. Exposure to freezing temperatures, even for a short period, will cause the water in our cells to freeze, rupturing them and leading to our demise. Ice and snow are completely alien and destructive to our tropical physiology. Our growth will slow dramatically or stop altogether during this period. We must spend the winter in your protected indoor environment, away from heating vents and with sufficient humidity, waiting for the warmth to return.
Spring is a time of renewed growth for us, but patience is key. Do not be tempted to put us outside too early. The weather must be consistently warm, with no more danger of frost. Nighttime temperatures should be reliably above that 55°F (13°C) threshold. When you do move us, consider acclimating us gradually—a process often called "hardening off." Start by placing us in a sheltered, fully shaded spot for a few hours a day, slowly increasing our time outdoors over a week or two. This prevents shock from the more intense outdoor sunlight and wind, which we have become unaccustomed to over the winter.
