Learn how to care for a Boston Fern

The Boston fern, whose beauty, easy maintenance and ability to purify the environment, is an example of such a species.

would you like to know all about the care of the Boston fern? read carefully!

Description, cultivation and care

The Boston fern belongs to the genus nephrolepsis, which in turn belongs to the family Polypodiaceae. Its technical name is nephrolepsis exaltata.

It is probably the most popular variety of fern for domestic cultivation. It is notable for its long branches, which arise directly from the ground and are furrowed by a large number of small leaves on both sides. This creates a shape reminiscent of a spear or sword curving downwards.

The green of its leaves is homogeneous, elegant and dark. Its growth is mainly on the horizontal axis.

It is estimated that within the polypodiaceae family there are about 1700 different genera and up to 7000 different species. Ferns are a type of plant that lacks flowers, fruit and seeds. They reproduce by spores, located on the underside of the leaves.

There are different varieties of ferns used in everyday life. Many are mutations of the exaltata itself, although there are different species such as the oriental fern, which is larger and more resistant, or the eagle fern, which is invasive.

But... let's go back to the Boston fern and talk about the kind of care it needs for its proper development!

How to grow the Boston fern

This variety of fern is one of the most popular and eye-catching ferns that often adorn our terraces, living rooms and offices. It is very easy to grow and maintain in perfect conditions as long as it receives the right amount of nutrients, light and humidity.

• Location

Ferns, like other tropical and equatorial species, require certain conditions of light and humidity to live and develop. Its perfect location, both outdoors and indoors, will be a shady corner, away from direct sunlight.

• Soil

Good drainage and a nutritious base are the main elements that the substrate should contain. A good base is a mixture of peat with some coarse-grained sand. To facilitate the movement of water under the soil, a bed of gravel should be placed at the bottom of the pot.

• Light

The fern is a plant that is used to living under large trees that provide a good amount of shade. This type of fern is more resistant than others to sun exposure as long as it does not receive direct sunlight. The perfect environment is a partially or fully shaded area in the garden or a well-lit room inside the house. The dark shade of its leaves allows the fern to better resist the incidence of light.

• Temperature

The perfect temperature for this fern to grow in optimum conditions indoors is between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. Perhaps a little higher if we want to reproduce as closely as possible the conditions of its original habitat. Although it can withstand slight drops in temperature, or slight draughts, it is best to avoid them as far as possible.

General care

• Watering

Humidity is the Boston fern's greatest ally. A good idea is to sprinkle water on the leaves from time to time with a spray bottle.

It is also a good idea to place a deep dish with pebbles and water under the pot, so that in hot weather the water evaporates and humidifies the atmosphere. Care should be taken not to overdo it and to remove excess water from the dish so that the roots do not rot. As for watering, it is sufficient to keep the substrate moist between applications.

• Fertilisers and fertilisers

During the hottest periods of the year (spring and summer), dilute a liquid fertiliser in the irrigation water once a fortnight. In autumn and winter it is not only not necessary, but even not recommended.

• Transplanting

This plant grows and develops very quickly, which means that its size increases accordingly. It is therefore advisable to move it to a larger pot every year, so that its roots have adequate space. It is best to do this in early spring.

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Pests

• Fungi

The appearance of dark spots on the surface of the leaves is probably due to the presence of fungi. These spots usually appear as a result of waterlogging or excess water at the base of the plant. To get rid of them, it is necessary to remove the affected areas and apply a specific chemical product.

• Mealybug

The mealybug is another of the parasites that attack this plant. Its presence can be detected by the appearance of small spots on the back of the leaves. The spots caused by the brown mealybug will have a chewy appearance and brownish tones. In the case of the cottony mealybug, they will be spongy and whitish. To combat them, it is recommended to use a small cotton swab dampened with alcohol, or a sponge and neutral soap in more severe cases.

Pruning is not something that lovers and connoisseurs of this plant often have to do. What is very convenient is to remove the dry leaves, as they are one of the main means by which parasites arrive.

The Boston fern is a plant that, thanks to its beauty, instantly enhances any indoor space while adding an exotic touch due to its unmistakable tropical appearance. In addition to its beauty, it is an excellent air purifier, capable of absorbing formaldehyde and other harmful substances typical of closed spaces.

what are you waiting for to give it the prominence it deserves in your home?