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If you ’re thinking about growing Boston fern ( Nephrolepis exaltata ) , you might be surprised to discover that there ’s more than one common case of boston fern you’re able to grow . Also known as the upright brand fern , this houseplant is easy to acquire and has lot of variations to accommodate any need .
An evergreen plant plant , it is aboriginal to tropical part around the world . It has green foliage that remain bright and verdant around the year , with tiny booklet that arch and become more erect as they get large .

A deadening - cultivator , this plant life can grow up to three infantry improbable and encompassing . So which type of Boston fern is right for you ?
Here are a few of the good Boston fern variety you might look at growing . Each share exchangeable growing requirements but all vary a bit in their show .
‘ Bostoniensis ’ is the standard type of Boston fern . When you get a line hoi polloi talking about Boston fern , this is likely the houseplant to which they are referring . Grown as a houseplant since strait-laced time , it is refined and easy to grow . However , it ’s not your only option .
Tips for Growing Boston Fern Indoors
Ready to grow Boston ferns that will make your visitant covetous ? Before we dive into the dissimilar type of Boston ferns , here are some general Boston fern care tips .
Potting and Ideal Soil
The first stride to growing any works , but especially the sword fern ( Nephrolepsis exaltata ) , is to verify that it is pot in the right soil . Boston ferns like soil that is racy in peat moss and moisture - retain .
When you plant your Boston fern , it ’s authoritative to employ fresh potting mix , and never recycle old soil . This can moderate to root rot of your sword fern . You should gently loosen the root ball before placing it in the unexampled sens , making certain to have enough soil to brook the works ’s free weight .
Giving the works a good soak in pee before planting will aid to forestall teetotal land and promote healthy ontogeny .
Lighting
Boston ferns are classified as a partial specter works , which means that they need to be placed in an area that receives indirect sunlight . These flora boom in mottled wraith or a full or partial shade environment . They can even be grown in hang baskets .
Direct sunlight can scorch the plant ’s leaves , while low light and darkness can stunt their growth . The ideal temperature for Boston fern is cooler temperatures of around 60 to 75 degree Fahrenheit .
Humidity
Boston fern ( genus Nephrolepis exaltata)are native to humid environment , so they ask a good level of wet in the gentle wind to maturate well indoors . you could simulate these conditions by misting your industrial plant on a regular basis with a nebulizer bottle or place a tray of tight pebbles beneath the pot .
This add humidness will help forestall their leaves from turning brown or falling off . However , you should fend off overwatering your flora , as this can conduct to root rot and might attract fungus gnats .
Boston fern are of course grown seasonally outdoors , which intend that they prefer cool and drafty environments .
During the wintertime months , you should be aware of keep your plant aside from heaters and vents , as the heat can damage their fronds . It ’s also crucial to cut back on watering during the wintertime , as their development will slow down .
In the summer months , you may ask to water more oft to compensate for the warmer temperatures and drying agent conditions .
Maintenance
To keep your Boston fern looking salubrious and vibrant , you will ask to give it some lovesome loving care . on a regular basis absent any browning or stagnant fronds , as these can cause hurt to the remain foliage . You should also feed your fern every four to six weeks with a balanced , water - soluble fertilizer .
Finally , scrutinize your plant life regularly for sign of pests or diseases , such as the comportment of aphids or rust spots .
Best Types of Boston Ferns to Grow
Now that you have it off what to do when it comes toBoston fern care , here are a few other types and variety to take .
1. ‘Compacta’ Boston Fern
N. exaltata‘Compacta ’ is , as the name suggests , a smaller , short , and more thick version of the Boston fern . It grows in a more upright fashion .
2. ‘Golden Boston’
This variety of Boston fern is bang for its yellow - fleeceable frond that are a bit light ( yet still undeniably vibrant ) than the main cultivar .
3. ‘Rita’s Gold’ Boston Fern
A thickset Boston fern plant , ‘ Rita ’s Gold ’ has chartreuse - colourize fronds that are sure to grab your attention . Its foliage is especially bright on steel - unexampled increment .
4. ‘Florida Ruffle’
This medium - sized Boston Fern cultivar has frond that appear feathery and ruffle . Each frond carve up into more fluffy ruffles and then overlap with others to make the visual aspect of a full , dense plant life .
5. ‘Fluffy Duffy’
‘ Fluffy Duffy ’ is a humble , dense cultivar of the Boston fern . It has feathered , finely - textured fronds . It can resist high-pitched levels of humidness in both the spring and summertime months .
6. ‘Whitmanii’
If you ’re struggling to keep up with the mellow humidness need of the Boston fern – something that can be difficult to maintain in many households , especially during the heart of winter – you may need to reckon originate ‘ Whitmanii . ’
These Boston fern plants require less humidity than others and have medium green fronds that are all right and delicate , look much like low green plume .
7. ‘Hawaiiensis’ Boston Fern
As you might be able to gather just from the name alone , this Boston fern variety is native to the Hawaiian islands . It is easy to recognize and differentiate from the other Boston fern you could grow – it has fateful pane scattered among its fronds that give the plant a kiwi - like appearance .
8. ‘Massii’
This variety ofNephrolepis exaltatabostoniensisis similar to the main variety of Boston fern in every manner but one . Its frond are a deeper , disconsolate shade of green .
9. ‘Dallas’
‘ Dallas ’ is compendious and easy to grow – yet it tolerates lower humidity floor than most other Boston fern , just like ‘ Whitmanii . ’ It can also execute well in collateral light , make it a estimable option for cultivator who just do n’t have the right-hand conditions to help their Boston fern fly high .
This variety ofNephrolepis exaltatagrows chop-chop and in a spread , straggle fashion , even when it has minimum light and humidness . That tell , its frond only grow to about half the size and length of the typical species .
10. ‘Kimberly Queen’
‘ Kimberly Queen ’ , orN. obliterata , is a species that is sensitive to low humidity – do n’t attempt to grow this variety if you fight with not having enough humidity in your place ! That tell , it ’s attractive , compact , and easy to grow .
11. Tiger Fern
A variegated Boston fern , this variety has foliage that is erratically marble in shades of green and gold . Its tumid leaves are known for get exceptionally long .
12. ‘Elegantissima’
This indoor plant develop extremely tall when grown outside in warmer field . It has beautiful , broad fronds that produce to six inches wide , with the works ultimately hit five base tall . This is a classic prudish front room fern !
13. ‘Marisa’
‘ Marisa ’ is a compact midget variety of the Boston fern with striking green leaflets . These come out almost legacy at first coup d’oeil . Nephrolepis exaltata‘Marisa ’ grows especially well – and is most gorgeous to lay eyes on – when grown in a hanging basket . It can also flourish in a terrarium .
14. ‘Roosevelt Ii’
The Roosevelt fern is another name for this variety , which can produce exceptionally elongated fronds as much as four feet in length . This frilled works was once key out ‘ Norwoodii , ’ so you might see it sold by that name as well .
15. ‘Todeoides’
This variety of the Boston fern is n’t as usual or easy to regain as some of the others . However , it ’s a spreading cultivar similar to ‘ ELegantissima ’ . It is hardy and has a graceful , arching substance abuse .
16. ‘Montana’
‘ Montana ’ acquire much more easy than other Boston fern , yet it ’s still highly popular . It has an impact growth use that is consistent and strong , It remains green and retains its leaf well than other cultivars , do it an easygoing - to - care - for cultivar for most growers .
17. ‘Green Lady’
‘ Green Lady ’ is an graceful multifariousness of the Boston fern , with refined frond that have a ruffled coming into court . It arise in clumps and look well when displayed on a tie-up or hanging hoop – anywhere its fronds can cascade and tumble out over the edge !
18. ‘Teddy Junior’
‘ Teddy Junior ’ is a plant that grows quite large in an outdoor mise en scene – up to seven feet tall , in fact ! When grown in a container , though , it is much easier to keep this works growing in a compact form . In fact , it is one of the most stocky varieties of the Boston fern around when grow in a container .
It is a mutation of ‘ Roosevelt , ’ with fronds that start out out swooning green and then become dark green as the plant get older . It has fronds that are pinnate , ruffled , and crinkly , and it can be grown even under more challenging setting .
19. ‘Sonata’
‘ Sonata ’ is an gentle - to - wish - for plant that is ideal for beginners . It has a shaggy-coated growth habit and perform best in a home that has adequate levels of humidness with indirect , diffuse light .
20. ‘Lemon Buttons’
This is a Boston fern variety that go by many names , including ‘ Duffii ’ along with ‘ Lemon push ’ . ’ The works can be turn as a houseplant or a terrarium planting , since it is one of the smallest varieties of the Boston fern you could find .
It ’s adorably compact , with midget light-green and atomic number 79 release - like brochure that are produced on sorry green , arc stems . These halt rarely make more than a foot in high spirits . It can be grown in an atrium , terrarium , or a hanging basketball hoop – the selection is yours !
Final Thoughts
Boston fern are n’t bad-tempered , but check that you encounter their unique growing requirements will help them develop healthy and strong .
These houseplants do best in bright , collateral visible radiation . Too much shade will not only stunt their maturation but can lead in frond that are evanesce and dull - looking .
These plant prefer soil that is rich and loamy with excellent drainage . If the soil does n’t drain well , you may come up your plant suffering from issues such as tooth root rot . Keep the land light moist at all meter , water whenever the top inch of soil is dry .
Want to learn more ? you’re able to get all the details on how to spring up and care for Boston ferns in our comprehensive grow guide here .
What are you waitress for ? Boston fern are easy to develop and the perfect accent to any home ’s interior decoration . Plant a few today !