Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) – Indoor Fern (3L Pot)

The classic indoor fern, with long, gracefully arching bright green fronds that spill over the edge of a pot, basket or shelf.

Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, has been a favourite houseplant since Victorian times. The feathery fronds cascade from a central crown, so it looks its best raised up where they can hang, and at this size it is ready to fill a hanging basket straight away. It was one of the strongest performers in the NASA clean air study, and it brings a soft, natural feel to a bathroom, kitchen or conservatory.

This is a tender indoor fern, not a hardy garden fern, so it must stay indoors all year in a room that never drops below 10C. Give it bright or medium indirect light, out of direct sun, which scorches the fronds. It needs moderate to high humidity, so a steamy bathroom suits it, or mist the fronds regularly and stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles. Keep the compost consistently moist but never waterlogged, use soft water or rainwater where you can, and take care that the crown does not stay wet, because that is what rots it. Feed every two to four weeks in spring and summer and cut out any brown fronds at the base.

Supplied as one plant with a well-established 3 litre root ball, ready for a hanging basket, decorative pot or container of your choice.

Cultural Information

Common Name: Boston fern, sword fern

Fully Grown Height and Spread: 40 to 90cm x 40 to 90cm

Growth Habit: Arching, spreading rosette of fronds

Perfect For: Hanging baskets, plant stands, bathrooms, kitchens and conservatories

Foliage: Bright green, pinnate, gracefully arching evergreen fronds

Flowering Time: Non-flowering; ferns reproduce by spores

Planting Position: Bright to medium indirect light indoors

Soil Type: Moisture-retentive, peat-free houseplant compost

Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 10C

Maintenance: Moderate; needs humidity and consistently moist compost

Seasonal Interest: Evergreen fronds

Type: Tender indoor fern