Boston Ferns are great for hanging on porches, terraces, patios and anywhere else you want to add a touch of class.

Boston ferns are one of the plants that are displayed inside and out probably more than any other plant. With long fronds which have frilly leaves, their look is one that is full and great for hanging on porches, terraces, patios and anywhere else you want to add a touch of class.

Caring for Your Fern When it is Kept Inside

One of the reasons many people do not like to place Boston ferns inside their home is because sometimes they do not do well. Often they will drop all their leaves and start to look really bad.

The reason for this is they are not placed in the right spot and they require a little more special care than when outdoors.

They will benefit from misting and they need to be watered regularly. They like to be in a spot where they can get light but not sunlight beating directly on them. The indirect sunlight approach is the best. A window that faces east or west is a good location.

• The temperatures they tolerate well are from 65 to 75 degrees. The night temperatures should be between 55 and 65 degrees.

• The plant should be placed on a stand rather than hung because the temperatures are warmer closer to the ceiling. In a room where it is a little cooler is the ideal spot for your fern.

• The plant loves humidity and the best way to provide this when grown inside is to either fill a shallow circular dish with stones and water. Place it close to the fern and the water will evaporate and provide the fern with the humidity it needs.

Another way of providing humidity to the fern is to place a humidifier close by and run this all the time especially in the winter. Not only will you help the plant to thrive but this will provide benefits to you and your family as well.

Although misting does help, when the water evaporates from the plant, the benefits are gone as well. The plant should have enough water when it is growing to allow the soil to be moist but not soaked. The water should be lukewarm.

Feeding The Fern

Your Boston fern can be fed with nitrogen rich plant food. This should be the type that is mixed with water. Use it at half the strength that is recommended on the package.

This should only be done during the fall, summer and spring. Do not feed the fern in the winter. The soil should never be left to become overly dry. If you want to encourage your fern to get bigger, it can be repotted. The roots will fill up the bottom of the pot when they are ready to be divided and start more ferns. The size of the pot you use will determine the size of the plant.

The Boston fern is a relation of the Sword fern. This plant grows wild in the tropics and Florida. Often the Sword fern is mistaken for the Boston fern.

They were grown in Florida in 1914 for the first time for commercial purposes. (Nephrolepis exaltata cv. Bostoniensis) is the scientific name for this fern that graces many homes. Popular in the Victorian era this plant has been a favorite for over one hundred years.

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