Description
Wild Boston fern has erect fronds up to 3'
long and 6" wide in tufted clusters arising from underground stems
called rhizomes. The individual pinnae (leaflets) are as much as 3" long
and shallowly toothed, but not further divided. The round sori
(clusters of spore-bearing organs) are in two rows near the margins on
the underside of the pinnae.
There are dozens of cultivars of this
species. Some of the more popular selections include 'Rooseveltii
plumosa' and 'Fluffy ruffles' which have pinnae that are deeply incised
and feathery on the tips. 'Bostoniensis' (Boston fern) has broader
fronds that arch gracefully downward and probably is the most tolerant
of indoor conditions. There is also 'Golden Boston' which has yellow
fronds, 'Hillii' which has doubly pinnate fronds, 'Childsii' which has
broad 3 or 4 pinnate, overlapping fronds and 'Verona' has very drooping,
3 or 4 pinnate fronds.
Location
Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, is a
common native fern in humid forests and swamps in Florida, and occurs
also as a native in South America, Mexico and Central America, the West
Indies, Polynesia and Africa - a testament to the ability of wind to
disperse tiny spores! Boston fern often grows on the trunks of cabbage palms. Some of the selected cultivars have escaped and established in Florida.
Culture
Light: Partial shade to shady outdoors and bright, filtered light indoors.
Moisture:
Boston fern likes a moist but not soggy, soil, rich in organic
matter. This is the most drought tolerant of the commonly cultivated
ferns, but it thrives only under conditions of high humidity. In
containers, put a couple inches of pebbles beneath the potting medium
and keep them (but not the potting medium itself) wet to increase
humidity. Mist Boston fern every day or so if the relative humidity is
below about 80%.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 9 - 11.
Boston fern is killed to the ground by frost but will re-emerge in spring.
Propagation: By division of rooted runners. The various cultivars will not come true from spores.
Outdoors, Boston fern is usually grown in moist,
shady sites beneath ornamental trees or shrubs, or as a ground cover. It
makes a good ground cover for the north side of the house or under
shade trees where little else will grow. Under favorable conditions,
Boston fern will spread by underground runners. Indoors, the species and
its many cultivars are often grown in hanging baskets or on pedestals.
They are especially suitable for the bathroom or kitchen where they will
appreciate the high humidity.
Features
Boston fern and its cultivars are the toughest
and most widely used of all ferns. They were the typical "parlor ferns"
before the advent of central heat and air. Even today they can survive
for a year or two in centrally heated homes, and still look pretty good.
Some authorities place Nephrolepis in the
family Davalliaceae (Davallia family), others in the Polypodiaceae
(polypody family), and still others in the Oleandraceae (ladder fern
family).
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