Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Family: Nephrolepidaceae
Boston Fern grows in bright indirect light to shade and prefers rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. Water needs: Moderate to high; prefers humidity.
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How to Grow Boston Fern
Boston Fern growing information includes sunlight requirements of Bright indirect light to shade, soil conditions listed as Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil with a soil pH of 5.0-6.5, and Moderate to high; prefers humidity water needs. The listed hardiness zones are 9-11 outdoors; commonly grown indoors. For propagation reference, the database lists germination or establishment information for Boston Fern as Propagated by spores or division, with planting or establishment depth listed as Not applicable; produces spores. Days to maturity are listed as 1-2 years to mature fern size.
Plant Overview
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is listed in the Nephrolepidaceae family and categorized as a fern with a perennial life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.
- Plant ID
- PLT-0236
- Family
- Nephrolepidaceae
- Plant type
- Fern
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Growing Conditions
Boston Fern is listed for bright indirect light to shade conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate to high; prefers humidity. The database soil reference is Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil. The listed soil pH range is 5.0-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 9-11 outdoors; commonly grown indoors.
- Hardiness zones
- 9-11 outdoors; commonly grown indoors
- Sunlight
- Bright indirect light to shade
- Soil
- Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil
- Soil pH
- 5.0-6.5
- Water needs
- Moderate to high; prefers humidity
Seed & Germination
For propagation, the database note is propagated by spores or division. Planting-depth guidance: Not applicable; produces spores. The listed time to maturity is 1-2 years to mature fern size. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.
- Germination
- Propagated by spores or division
- Seed depth
- Not applicable; produces spores
Harvest & Propagation
- Days to maturity
- 1-2 years to mature fern size
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Growing Reference Note
Plant performance can vary with climate, soil, weather, cultivar, seed quality, and gardening methods. The values on this page are general database reference ranges rather than a substitute for local extension guidance or seed-packet instructions.