Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
About it
- Kind
- Foliage · Perennial
- Mature size
- to 30 in × 30 in
- Hardiness zones
- Zones 10–13
- Sun
- Part shade
- Spacing
- 30 in apart
- Soil depth in a pot
- At least 6 in
- Water
- About every 7 days
ⓘ We don't know this plant's soil pH and feeding needs yet.
When to plant
We don't have planting times for Boston Fern yet.
Planting partners
No cited companion planting notes for Boston Fern yet.
Safety for pets and children
- Cats Listed as non-toxic to cats (NC State Extension)
- Dogs Listed as non-toxic to dogs (NC State Extension)
- Horses Listed as non-toxic to horses (NC State Extension)
- Children No information in our sources
Read from NC State Extension ↗.
"No information" means our sources do not say, not that the plant is harmless. A non-toxic listing is not a reason to let anyone eat a plant.
Pests and diseases
No pest or disease notes for Boston Fern yet.
Check the label and your local extension service before using any product.
Where this comes from
- category NC State Extension ↗
- climate requirement NC State Extension ↗
- edible NC State Extension ↗ Toolbox records no edible use
- growth rate NC State Extension ↗ Toolbox Growth Rate: Rapid
- life cycle NC State Extension ↗
- mature height in NC State Extension ↗ Toolbox: 2 ft - 3 ft; midpoint
- mature spread in NC State Extension ↗ Toolbox: 2 ft - 3 ft; midpoint
- min soil depth in NC State Extension ↗ Handbook ch. 18: shallow-rooted plants need 6-8 in of mix; low end, for a shallow-rooted fern
- space requirement NC State Extension ↗
- species NC State Extension ↗
- sunlight NC State Extension ↗ Toolbox lists Dappled Sunlight and Deep shade; recorded as the brighter of the two
- toxicity NC State Extension ↗ non_toxic for cat, dog, horse from its "non-toxic for" tags.
- water frequency days NC State Extension ↗ Handbook ch. 18's generic container check