Hello there! I am a Boston Fern, and my most fundamental need is an environment that reminds me of my ancestral home: the forest floor. I thrive in bright, indirect light. Please, never place me in direct, harsh sunlight, as it will scorch my delicate fronds, leaving them brown and crispy. A north or east-facing window is perfect. I also crave humidity. Your modern home can be terribly dry for me. To keep me happy and prevent my leaflets from turning brown and dropping, please mist my fronds regularly, place my pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water (ensure my roots aren't sitting in the water), or consider a small humidifier nearby. A bathroom with a window is often my favorite room!
My relationship with water is simple: I like my soil to be consistently moist, but never soggy. Think of a well-wrung-out sponge. Stick your finger about an inch into my soil; if it feels dry, it's time for a drink. I prefer lukewarm water and enjoy a thorough watering until water runs freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. Please empty the saucer afterwards, as I despise "wet feet," which will lead to root rot and my eventual decline. During the warm, growing season, I will be thirstier. In the winter, I will need less water, but never let my soil become bone dry.
To produce my beautiful, arching fronds, I need a steady supply of nutrients, but I am not a heavy feeder. During my active growing period in spring and summer, please feed me a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength. I only need this once a month. Over-fertilizing will burn my roots and damage my fronds. In the autumn and winter, when my growth naturally slows down, you should stop feeding me altogether. I am resting and do not need the extra nutrients.
As I grow, I will eventually become pot-bound. You might notice my roots circling the inside of the pot or growing out of the drainage holes. My growth may also seem stunted. This is your signal that I need a new home. When you repot me, choose a new container that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter. Be gentle with my root ball and use a fresh, well-draining potting mix, preferably one with peat moss for moisture retention. The best time to do this is in the spring, just as I am entering my most vigorous growth phase.
Like any living thing, I sometimes have old fronds that yellow or die back. This is a normal part of my life cycle. To keep me looking my best and to encourage new growth, simply snip these old or damaged fronds off at the base using clean, sharp scissors. Don't be afraid! This grooming process allows me to direct my energy into producing lush, new green fronds. An occasional gentle shower will also help to rinse dust from my leaves, allowing me to breathe and photosynthesize more efficiently.
