Overwintering Boston Ferns - What To Do With Boston Ferns In Winter

What To Do With Boston Ferns In Winter

Leave the fern in its container, prune all the leaves except for the new growth.
Move the plant to its new “winter” location.
Keep the plant on the dry side and hold off on fertilizer during winter months.
When it's time to move the plant outside, move your Boston outside…

What do you do with Boston ferns in the winter?

How to Overwinter a Boston Fern

Prune the plant, leaving only newly sprouted fronds remaining in the container. ...
Acclimate the plant to its new environment gradually; don't move it abruptly into a new location.
Withhold fertilization when overwintering Boston ferns.

What should I do with my ferns in the winter?

You don't have to provide your ferns with a light source (even a dark spot is okay), and you don't have to give them any special care. Because they'll simply go dormant for the winter. Just find a spot in your basement or garage that doesn't get below 45 degrees, and your ferns should overwinter beautifully.

Can a Boston fern survive the winter outside?

This fern survives outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8b through 11, although it is grown indoors as a houseplant for all or part of the year across a much broader range. ... Keep the Boston fern away from other houseplants to avoid accidentally spreading pests.

Can you leave ferns outside in the winter?

Ferns grown in containers outdoors may survive the winter in very cold climates if you bring them indoors. ... Indoors, give your fern a medium level of indirect light, no additional fertilizer and a bit less water than you gave it during the growing season outdoors.

Will Boston ferns come back after a freeze?

When only the fronds freeze, the fern will recover easily, but if the roots freeze it has less chance of recovery. Check for frost-damaged roots after a hard long freeze. ... Cut off the frost-damaged roots and repot in fresh potting soil. If the roots are black all the way through, the fern won't recover.

What temperature is too cold for Boston ferns?

Boston ferns thrive in temperatures in the 60s and 70s but can tolerate an occasional blast of cold air of 40 to 50 degrees for a few hours.

How do you preserve Ferns for the winter?

Trim the fern, removing the shoots at the outside of the pot and keeping only the most upright shoots in the middle. ...
Bring the fern inside and place it in a bright, sunny room where the temperature will stay between 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. ...
Water the fern once a week. ...
Withhold fertilizer during the winter.

Should ferns be cut back for winter?

Some of the lowest maintenance perennial plants are the hardy ferns. That said, they and the looks of your garden will benefit from a little simple pruning at the right time. ... At the end of winter, before new fronds begin to emerge and unfurl, I usually remove all damaged, brown or faded fronds from my evergreen ferns.

What is the lowest temperature a fern can tolerate?

On the coldest end of the scale, hardy ferns can survive temperatures down to minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Do ferns grow back if you cut them?

Cut back to the base if desired.

If you are not liking the look of your plant at all, you can cut it down to just above the crown, much as you do with an outdoor fern. Use sharp, clean scissors to cut off the fronds. The fern will grow back from the crown, if you let it remain.

Do Boston ferns come back every year?

Like many other varieties of semitropical plants, Boston fern grows as a perennial in warm climates, but won't overwinter in areas that experience freezing temperatures. In cold climates, you must bring this type of fern indoors or grow it as an annual.

How do you trim a Boston fern for winter?

You don't want to crop the top of the plant when pruning Boston fern. Instead, trim off the side fronds at the base. Also remove old, discolored fronds near the soil to allow new growth to come through. Remove the unsightly stems to the base as well.

Do ferns need sunlight?

Ferns Need Plenty of Indirect Light

Most ferns prefer indirect light, which means you should avoid placing them where sunlight will hit them—their leaves can get scorched if you do, resulting in a dry, crispy plant.

How do you keep a fern alive in your house?

Mist your ferns as often as practical, preferably in the morning. Keep a spray bottle handy and train your family members to use it whenever they pass by the fern. Stand the pot on a tray of pebbles or clay granules and keep those wet. This increases the humidity around the plant without keeping the roots soggy.

How do I protect my Boston ferns from frost?

Keep the fern in a room where temperatures range between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The Boston fern is tropical and prefers warmer temperatures. Set the Boston fern on a shallow tray filled with a layer of pebbles and water.

What temperature will kill a fern?

Extreme Heat is Unhealthy

They grow best when temperatures reach no higher than 75 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night. A temperature of 95 degrees or higher may kill a Boston fern.

Can ferns take a freeze?

Ferns can handle a bit of chill, and even a light frost for that matter, but not a hard frost or freeze. As temperatures begin to drop in mid to late fall, plants need to be covered or brought indoors on nights when a heavy frost or freeze is expected.

Is Miracle Grow good for Boston ferns?

Use Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food for larger Boston ferns and those grown outdoors, and Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food for smaller indoor Boston ferns. The amount you use to fertilize your fern will vary depending on its size, so be sure to follow the instructions on the label.

Should you mist Boston ferns?

Boston ferns need a cool place with high humidity and indirect light. When you care for Boston fern plants indoors, it's a good idea to provide additional humidity for them, especially in the winter. ... You can also try lightly misting your fern once or twice a week to help it get the humidity it needs.

Can ferns live in 40 degree weather?

Considered perennial in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, they may stay out all year where temperatures seldom drop below 45 degrees F, but must be brought indoors if threatened by frost.