Boston Fern (Indoor)

Place in bright, indirect light away from direct sun, which scorches the delicate fronds. A north-facing window or bathroom with frosted glass provides ideal conditions. Boston ferns demand consistent moisture and high humidity. Water regularly to keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged. Mist the fronds daily during winter when central heating dries the air, or stand the pot on a pebble tray of water. A bathroom with a shower provides natural humidity. Use a peat-free houseplant compost enriched with leaf mould. Feed fortnightly from April to September with a half-strength liquid fertiliser. Remove any brown, dried fronds at the base to keep the plant tidy and improve air circulation. Repot every two years in spring. Boston ferns are non-toxic and safe around pets and children.

Cut away brown or dead fronds at the base using sharp scissors throughout the year. In spring, trim back any scraggly or overly long fronds to reshape the plant. This encourages fresh new growth from the crown.