How to Care for Your Boston Fern Plant

Boston ferns come from humid and tropical forests or swamps like the Florida everglades where they’re known as sword ferns, Mexican rainforests, tropical regions of Polynesia, Africa, and the West Indies, as well as the jungles of Central and South America. They require a lot of humidity, warm weather, and indirect sunlight which is why the sun-blocking protection of tree canopies and the natural warmth and humidity of tropical rainforests help them thrive.

The natural soil also matches the climate requiring it to be moisture retaining and well draining just like you’ll find in jungles. Coconut bark, tree roots, aluminum, and iron oxide found naturally in these climates create a perfect environment for their fibrous roots to remain healthy. And it is easy to recreate this type of environment in your home to help your Boston Fern maintain its lush green fronds, grow to its fullest ability, and thrive to bring life into your home, office, or anywhere you have one.

Boston Ferns are part of the Nephrolepidaceae family which are native to the USA and Americas and are in the Nephrolepis genus. Here are some more of the specifications to help you identify if your houseplant is a Boston Fern or a similar one, as well as guess its age, and to diagnose issues.

Boston Ferns are one of the more easy-to-care for species of Fern, but they do take some time and attention vs. a Snake Plant (Sansevieria) which is a plant that can be forgotten about for longer periods of time. With a little bit of love and care, and the instructions below, you can keep your Boston Fern thriving.

Water your Boston Fern about once per week when the top inch of potting mix feels dry as they need moisture levels to mimic their natural environment. If you live in less humid areas like a desert you’ll need to water more frequently, and humid areas less frequently.

Boston Ferns need bright but indirect sunlight between 2 to 6 hours per day so place them near but not directly in front of a window, or where they can get ambient light on a desk or table, ideally in a north or eastern facing window as these get less direct sunlight. If you have your Boston Fern outdoors, place it in a shaded area on a porch or under a tree where it can be protected from direct sunlight.

Boston Fern needs roughly 50% to 80% humidity levels to match their natural environment so use a pebble tray, group them with other plants, or have a humidifier in the room to help prevent their fronds from browning.

Boston Ferns are hardier than other Fern plants, but that doesn’t mean they can be left alone. They are quick to discolor, get damaged, or develop common issues. Here’s some common issues and how to begin treating them.

If the fronds begin discoloring by yellowing or browning, this could be a sign of improper care. Start by feeling the potting mix and making sure it isn’t water logged. If the potting mix is too dry, add some water and set a reminder on your phone’s calendar to check again in 5 days to see if it needs more.

Next look at how many hours of sunlight your plant is getting, Boston Ferns do not need as much as other plants. It may be too close to a window and getting a bit too much. Last check the humidity levels in the room and make sure it has enough. If it does not add a pebble tray or place the humidifier in your room a bit closer to it.

Pro-tip: If you live in areas where it gets cold in the winter, move your Boston Fern away from the windows and doors where the temperature is a bit too low.

Sunburn or leaf burn is common in Boston Ferns and can be identified by crispy edges on the fronds or when they turn brown and crunchy. If you see the leaves in this condition, move your Boston Fern to an area with less direct sunlight as it is currently getting too much and trim away any brown fronds or stems with sharp and disinfected shears.

Wilting is normally caused by over or under watering, and by not having enough humidity for your Boston Fern. Start by using a water meter and checking the potting mix to make sure it has the right amount of moisture.

• If it has too much moisture remove the potting mix, wash the roots off, and replant your Boston Fern.

• When there is too little moisture add some water to the potting mix.

When humidity is the issue you can group plants together with your Boston Fern, use a pebble tray, bring them to a bathroom where the shower releases humidity, add a humidifier to the room, and make sure you don’t have a dehumidifier running near it.

Potting mixes with peat moss or sphagnum to help retain moisture, or coconut making it a “chunky” potting mix that also has well draining materials like sand or gravel for drainage will work best. Our Coco bag is designed specifically for plants like Boston Fern, Hoya , and Alocasia (Elephants Ear.) You can find all of our potting mixes here .

Although there is only one species of Boston Fern, there are hybrids and created variations. These make fantastic collector's plants. A few staff favorites include:

Compacta
The Compacta Boston Fern has shorter, denser fronds that create a tidy, bushier appearance. Its compact size makes it ideal for smaller pots, tight shelves, or spots where a full-size fern might be too large. It’s great for creating lush greenery in limited spaces without sacrificing the signature look.

Curly Boston
Also called 'Ruffle' or 'Fluffy Ruffle', this variation features wavy, curled fronds that add extra texture and movement. It’s a more whimsical take on the classic fern, making it a fun accent for bright bathrooms, plant shelves, or hanging baskets. Slightly more humidity-loving than standard types, but still easy to grow indoors.

Golden
The Golden Boston Fern has bright green to golden-yellow foliage that gives it a warm, sunlit glow. Its coloring adds contrast when grouped with deeper green plants and makes it stand out in lower-light settings. It’s especially beautiful in soft, filtered light where its tones are most noticeable.