Hello there! I am your Boston Fern, and I hail from the humid, forest floors of tropical and subtropical regions. In my natural home, I am sheltered by a dense canopy of trees, which means I thrive in bright, but indirect, light. Please, do not place me directly in a harsh, south-facing window where the sun will scorch my delicate fronds, causing them to turn yellow and crispy. A spot a few feet away from an east or north-facing window is perfect, where I can bask in the gentle morning or ambient light. I will show my appreciation with lush, deep green growth.
My roots despise being either bone dry or sitting in a swamp. I prefer my soil to be consistently moist, like a well-wrung-out sponge. The best way to understand my needs is to check my soil daily with your finger. If the top inch feels dry to the touch, it is time for a deep, thorough drink. Water me until it runs freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot, and please, always empty the saucer afterward. Soggy feet will lead to root rot, a silent killer for a plant like me. In the dry heat of winter or air-conditioned rooms, I will need you to check on me even more frequently.
This is my most crucial request. The air in most modern homes is painfully dry for a tropical being like me. Without sufficient humidity, my leaf tips will turn brown and crisp, and I may even start to drop my leaflets in protest. To keep me happy and vibrant, please provide a humid environment. You can achieve this by placing my pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water (ensure my pot is not sitting directly in the water), grouping me with other plants to create a microclimate, or regularly misting my fronds with tepid, soft water. A bathroom with a window is often a paradise for me, thanks to the steam from showers.
I am a living thing with cycles. During the spring and summer, I am actively growing and will appreciate a light feeding. Please feed me with a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer once a month. Come autumn and winter, my growth slows significantly. This is my time to rest, so you should stop fertilizing me entirely and reduce watering slightly, always checking the soil first. Do not be alarmed if I shed a few older fronds during this time; it is natural. In the spring, you can refresh my home by repotting me if I have become pot-bound, or simply by topping up my soil with fresh, peat-based potting mix.
