Boston fern care: light, water, and pet safety

Nephrolepis exaltata

Care table

LightMedium light to bright indirect light. Medium to bright indirect. No hot direct sun.
WaterLikes evenly moist soil. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
HumidityWants 50 percent or more
RepottingSpring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Hardest season for ferns. Keep soil lightly moist, raise humidity, and keep it away from heat vents. Some frond drop is normal.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Boston Fern

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

  • Shedding brown leaflets: Dry air or soil that went dry.
  • Yellow lower leaves, soggy soil: Watering before the soil dried, or a pot with no drainage.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool

Guides

Sources