Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltataalso Phlebodium aureum

Boston Fern

Bright indirectModeratePet-safe
6078°FComfort range
HighHumidity
Background

The Boston fern is the lush, arching classic of porches and hanging baskets, and indoors it's all about two things: moisture and humidity. Dry indoor air turns the fronds crispy and brown fast, which is why it thrives in bathrooms or grouped with other plants. The blue star fern (Phlebodium aureum), with its blue-green, hand-shaped fronds, is a more forgiving alternative for the same conditions.

Keep the soil consistently moist — never soggy, never bone dry — and give it bright indirect light away from any direct sun. Expect some shedding; tidy the brown fronds and mist or use a pebble tray if your air runs dry. With steady moisture and humidity it's a generous, full plant.

Bright indirect light; no direct sun. The blue star fern (Phlebodium) takes slightly lower light.

Care at a glance
LightBright indirect
WaterEvery 3–5 days; keep consistently moist
Soil mixRich, moisture-retentive but well-draining mix with coir or peat
HumidityHigh
Temperature60–78°F
DifficultyModerate
HabitClumping
Mature size1–3 ft spread
PropagationDivision of the crown
Watering & safety
How to water

Water before it dries out; ferns won't recover from a hard dry-out

Drought tolerance

Low — keep to a consistent rhythm and don't let it dry out hard.

Pet & child safety

Non-toxic and pet-safe.

The routine

Keep consistently moist; never let it dry out hard

every 3–5 days

Crispy brown fronds mean the air is too dry — raise humidity

Feed with a dilute balanced fertiliser

monthlyGrowing season

Trim spent fronds to keep it tidy

Divide and repot when the crown fills the pot

every 1–2 years
Watch for
ScaleMealybugsFungus Gnats