Can a Boston Fern Survive the Winter Outside? Mist your Boston fern frequently to increase the humidity. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Stop Killing Your Boston Ferns! Full Care Guide - YouTube Prune Your Plants How long do Boston ferns live? If possible, place the fern away from direct sunlight and in a spot with filtered light, like an east- or north-facing window. When temperatures dip below 50 degrees, shelter them or bring the plant indoors. Yes, Miracle Grow is generally good for Boston ferns when used properly. Boston ferns prefer to grow in partial or full shade, but dappled, filtered light works as well. With adequate moisture, the plant may tolerate drier climates. From the elaborate discussion we just had, the confusion regarding the lifespan of your Boston fern is clear. Boston ferns are a delight to grow both in and outdoors. Repotting is best done in the spring, once you see roots poking out of the soil. Before bringing it inside, wash the plant well to eliminate any insects or moths that could have been lurking inside the foliages. The morning sun is ideal but full afternoon sun can burn off the fronds. In the Boston area, a Boston fern needs about 4-6 hours of sunlight each day. After the fern is dry, trim off the decayed leaves with a clean pair of scissors. Indoor air can be too dry for Boston ferns to thrive. Make sure the fern has access to indirect sunlight and to keep the soil moist but not soggy in order for the Boston fern to thrive. In the garden, ferns can last indefinitely if conditions are right, with some species of tree ferns known to live for centuries. To add humidity only around the fern or for outdoor ferns, place the pot on a tray or saucer filled with pebbles. If you live in colder regions, keep your Boston ferns in containers so that you can move them into a sheltered location in the winter months. Simplifyplants.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program. Mulch the soil to protect against the loss of moisture. The best time to put your Boston fern outside is in mid-spring, when the outdoor temperatures are around 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher and all threatening potential for frost has passed. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. If possible, try to keep your Boston fern out of direct sunlight and out of excessively hot or cold drafts from open doorways. Brown tips on a Boston fern can be caused by a variety of factors. Here is the Boston fern care that you can use to grow them outdoors. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely, but it is important that it does not stay wet for too long either. Add perlite and peat moss to the soil to improve airflow to the roots. Make sure to provide extra soil moisture if it is colder than expected, and if temperatures get below freezing, provide adequate protection by covering your fern with a sheet or frost cloth. The fern grows best outdoors when placed in a partially sunny to shady location and indoors in a location out of direct sunlight. Make sure there is no light accessing the plant; theyre sleeping! Make sure there is no light accessing the plant; theyre sleeping! Keep the plant thoroughly watered, but limited. If the fern gets hard frost once, it will not survive that. Whether you opt for a dwarf variety, like the lemon button fern, or one with yellow fronds, the care still remains the same. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Boston Fern Propagation: How To Divide And Propagate Boston Fern Runners, Boston Fern Fertilizer - Tips For Fertilizing Boston Ferns, Boston Fern Turning Brown: Treating Brown Fronds On Boston Fern Plant, English Ivy Alternatives Grow These Native Plants Instead, 10 Native Spirea Japonica Bush Alternatives, Hyacinth Forcing Indoors: How To Force A Hyacinth Bulb, Yellow Garden Design: Designing Garden Scheme With Yellow Plants, What Is Rejuvenation Pruning: Tips For Hard Pruning Plants, Planting Forced Paperwhites: Forcing Instructions For Paperwhites, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. If you keep it indoors, keep it near a north-facing window or a window with a sheer curtain to block the suns rays. Next, give your fern a good haircut by trimming off the side fronds at the base with sharp shears. Do Boston ferns come back after winter? - Remodel or Move Health & Parenting Guide - Your Guide to Raising a Happy - WebMD If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Small amounts of fertilizer are best for Boston fern, which is a light feeder. Whether you'll be providing winter care for Boston ferns as houseplants or allowing them to go dormant and live in a sheltered location, there are a few things to do to get the plant ready for its winter location. As long as you have a moist and shady environment, ferns provide an easy way to spruce up your garden with layers of green texture. In regions with harsh cold where temperatures get below freezing point, it can get tough to survive in winters. If your Boston fern lives outdoors in hardiness zones 8b to 11, prepare them for winter temperatures by trimming the fronds, leaving only the newest sprouts. This condition can be treated naturally by simply repotting the plant in a sterile container and discarding the diseased soil in the process. Generally speaking, most ferns prefer warmer temperatures and will do best when the daytime temperature is in the range of 60-80F (15-27C). It is evergreen in colder climates and semi-evergreen in warmer regions. Ferns need higher levels of humidity than other plants, so misting the ferns can help reduce dehydration on colder days. They should receive four to six hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Can Boston ferns survive the extreme cold? In regions with milder winters, evergreen plants like Boston ferns keep their fronds in winter and continue growing all year round, never having a state of full dormancy. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_36',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-1-0');Yes, it is generally safe to water ferns with tap water. A Boston fern grown outside can become a target for whiteflies, mealybugs, and chewing insects, like snails, slugs, and caterpillars. Sometimes these plants may visibly die during the dormant season, but they spring back to life when they get the right weather. Boston fern's chill sensitivity hinders its healthy growth and proper leaf formation because this plant is simply not adapted to sudden drops in temperature. Resume fertilizing again with the arrival of spring. Additionally, consider placing your fern in a room with good air flow to help keep the leaves dry and avoid any fungal diseases. By following these tips, youll be able to keep the dead leaves off your fern and keep it healthy and looking great. Boston ferns are hardy, long-lived plants that can often survive for many years when given proper care. Boston ferns are hardy plants; however, some pests harass this plant, like spider mites. Overwintered plants resume growth in early spring and should be lush and full again in the second year. Boston ferns are hardy plants that will return year after year, provided they get the right care and growing conditions. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Costa Farms Premium Live Boston Fern Hanging Basket. Perennial plants like Boston ferns grow year after year and continue growing through several maturation phases. Using a serrated knife, cut the roots apart. How to Plant and Grow Boston Fern - Better Homes & Gardens Often the ferns are discarded, but some are so lush and beautiful that the gardener cant bring ones self to toss them. Once soil temperatures begin to rise, and the weather stabilizes, your fern should quickly return to its former glory. Ferns planted in pots should have drainage holes so that water doesnt pool at the base. Boston fern prefers rich organic soils. Boston ferns are native to the tropical regions and are much-loved houseplants due to their bushy green fronds that can instantly uplift any home corner. Even if the temperature is above freezing, which may not normally damage a Boston fern, the University of Georgia notes that a rapid drop in nighttime temperatures may damage the foliage. In fact, this is a great method to use for a fern that has outgrown its pot or is taking over a garden space. However, one question in the minds of fern owners is how long these ferns live. Plant outdoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix and indoor Boston ferns in Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix. In about a week, check the pot or garden for a thin green haze (prothallia) that contains the sperm and the egg. Watch Now: How to Grow and Care for a Boston Fern Light Boston fern does best when grown in a location with bright, indirect light. You must protect them from harsh winters if you do not want to lose the plant. Instead, cut your potted plant back to 4 inches above the soil and store it in a cool, dry area, like a basement or garage. If you decide you want to move your plants location, dont do so abruptly. Boston ferns originally are from Florida, Central America, and other tropical areas. When you water your fern, water it until the excess moisture runs out of the bottom of the container, then be sure to empty the container of any excess water. Its also a good idea to move your fern to a shady spot to prevent over-exposure to direct sunlight, which can cause dry, brownish leaves. Do I do this too? Growing Ferns | UGA Cooperative Extension Here are some suggestions for keeping your Boston fern outside in the winter. Its best to prune your ferns before wintertime. Ferns can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and there is no single answer for what the lowest temperature a fern can tolerate is. The remainder of the plant can be clipped along the outer edges to the desired shape. When mixed in water and sprayed onto ferns, Epsom salt helps them to develop a deep green color as well as promoting healthy new growth. Boston Ferns are Tropical Plants Advertisement Article continues below this ad Because Boston ferns are tropical plants, they cannot tolerate frosty temperatures. 1. Sprinkling coarse substances over the soil, such as eggshells or diatomaceous earth, is another solution. In USDA Zones 8 through 11, they can live outside all year around. How to Grow and Care for Boston Ferns in Containers Finally, pests can also be a problem for Boston ferns, such as spider mites, scale, or whitefly. Soon, your plant will be lush and full of new fronds. Misting the fern daily can temporarily add moisture, but it does not last long. (9 Causes+Fix), How Do You Care For Birds of Paradise? Move them gradually so they acclimatize to the new location. If needed, you may need to provide light misting or provide a humidifier to keep the soil as moist as possible. Keep it in bright, indirect light where the temperatures are 60 to 70 degrees F. When you see new growth, take off the bag. If the temperatures remain consistently above 60 degrees, you can then begin to introduce the fern to more direct sunlight. Check outrePotme. They offer a wide range of readymade soil premixes for all your indoor plants. When shes not tending to her garden, you can often find her researching the latest gardening trends, or teaching others how to make their gardens thrive, AquaponicsBeekeepingOrganic GardeningSucculentsIndoor Gardening. The plant should still be thoroughly watered, but only limited moisture is needed for the dormant Boston fernlike once monthly. In winter, you can give 2-3 hours of early morning sunlight to your Boston ferns to give them some warmth. All Rights Reserved. Finally, you will want to water your Boston fern regularly. If the winter temperature drops below 55F, your Boston fern can die. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Fern is a tall perennial that makes an excellent specimen plant. If you want to save your ferns for next year, there are a few steps you can take. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant lightly on hot days. Boston ferns planted in the ground may survive temperatures as low as 30 degrees, although the top growth will be killed to the ground. If your outdoor Boston fern is growing in a container, it will probably need water every day during the summer. On hot days the fern may require a second watering. Some hardy varieties such as the alpine maidenhair, Hardy Maiden Hair and Brake Fern, can tolerate much cooler temperatures down to freezing. Boston fern thrives in partial to full shade or filtered light. While most yards do not have the dense trees that Boston ferns prefer, a covered porch provides the right light. Watch on. Keep the atmosphere moist. Your Boston ferns can tolerate higher temperatures outdoors, provided you grow them under shade and give them ample water and humidity. Boston Ferns Outdoors Top Growing Tips - Garden.eco Boston ferns are sensitive to both certain amounts of cold and heat, which affect their growth. Therefore, it is best to choose a bright, indirect spot with high humidity. If youre using a previously used container, be sure to clean out the pot with hot water and soap. Furthermore, you should bring the fern back inside when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit in order to protect it. North of that, you need to move this plant indoors to help it survive the winters or consider them as annuals. Keep the plant thoroughly watered, but limited. Last Updated on January 17, 2022 by If you are wondering how to undertake the care of Boston fern outdoors, this article will help you with clear guidelines that you can follow. Boston ferns dont require excessive fertilizers, so you only need to apply occasional applications. like plastic or glazed terracotta pots with ample drainage holes. Boston ferns prefer a warm, moist environment, so its important to keep them out of cold drafts and away from air conditioning vents that could dry out their foliage. If this happens, use the recommendations above to up the moisture. The ideal pH range for ferns is generally around 6 6.5, so the water should be tested regularly to ensure the pH is acceptable. Sign up for our newsletter. In this article, I will discuss how long your Boston ferns will live and how you should care for your plant in different seasons. Feed the plant with either a water-soluble fertilizer or add a slow-release fertilizer in the spring. Standing water is never a good thing for your plants. Mist the fern frequently to raise the humidity levels. Manage Settings Here are some suggestions for keeping your Boston fern outside in the winter. You also want to make sure youre moving your ferns to an area with indirect light and high humidity, such as a bathroom or covered porch. The lowest minimum temperature in the USDA zone 10 is 30 to 35F, and if the temperature gets lower than that, your fern may die. Like orchids, Boston ferns like humidity. Keep them away from air conditioners as they can suck up the moisture from the plant. Boston Fern Care Outdoors: How to Keep It Alive and Well Make sure to avoid direct, afternoon sunlight because it can burn the leaves. University of Georgia Extension: Effects of Low Temperature on Plants, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-2-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_37',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-narrow-sky-2-0');Another important step is to reduce the number of fronds. Increase the humidity around the ferns by using. Place the plant in a sunny south-facing or east-facing window and give it 2-3 hours of morning sunlight and lots of bright light in winter to warm the plant. 5 Must-Know Tips on Caring for an Indoor Fern - Better Homes & Gardens
