
The key to successfully growing a Boston fern is to keep the soil lightly moist—but not soggy—during the spring and summer when it is actively growing.

A Boston fern does best when grown in a location with bright, indirect light. Too much shade can result in sparse fronds that appear lackluster, and too much sun can burn the fronds. For this reason, Boston fern is a good choice for a porch plant that receives filtered sun in the morning and afternoon shade.

Indoor ferns should be fed once a month during the spring and summer using a 20-10-20 liquid houseplant fertilizer at half strength. No fertilization is necessary during the late fall and winter months.

Nephrolepis (Boston fern) prefers temperatures between 18-23 degree. They can’t tolerate extreme heat or extreme cold. Temperatures above 35 degree can harm the plant, as can near-freezing temperatures below 1.7 degree.

This fern also thrives in humidity levels above 80 percent.