Greetings from your future Boston Fern! We are elegant, arching plants that crave a specific environment to truly thrive, especially when suspended in the air. To help you create the perfect hanging basket where we can flourish, here is our perspective on what we need.
Our roots prefer a cozy and moist environment, so the choice of basket is crucial. A traditional wire basket lined with a thick layer of sphagnum moss or coco coir is ideal. This natural liner acts like a sponge, holding in the moisture we desperately crave and providing excellent aeration for our roots. While plastic pots are common, they can dry out too quickly in the sun and often lack sufficient drainage, which leads to our next critical point.
Please, do not use heavy garden soil. We need a light, airy, and peat-based potting mix that is specifically formulated for moisture-loving plants. A mix that includes peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is perfect. It retains water but also allows excess to drain away, preventing our roots from sitting in water and rotting. While we love moisture, we are not aquatic plants. Ensure whatever basket you choose has adequate drainage holes.
We are understory plants from forest floors. This means we desire bright, but indirect, light. A spot where we can receive dappled sunlight, like under a porch roof or a tree canopy, is perfect. Direct afternoon sun will scorch our delicate fronds, turning them yellow and crispy. Conversely, deep shade will cause our growth to become weak and sparse. Please find us a sheltered spot away from strong, drying winds as well, which can quickly dehydrate us.
This is our most important request. Our soil must be kept consistently moist, but not soggy. In the heat of summer, this will likely mean watering us daily, or even twice daily. The best way to check is to feel the soil. If the top inch feels dry, it is time for a thorough drink. Water us until it runs freely from the drainage holes. We also adore humidity. Regular misting of our fronds, especially on hot days, will make us incredibly happy and prevent our leaf tips from turning brown.
To produce our beautiful, cascading fronds, we need a steady supply of nutrients. During our active growing season (spring and summer), please feed us with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength every two to four weeks. This gentle feeding supports our vigorous growth without risking fertilizer burn. You can reduce feeding in the fall and stop entirely during the winter when our growth naturally slows down.
