Boston ferns are popular leafy plants that instantly add life to any space – both indoors and outdoors!
They are relatively low-maintenance and can adapt to various growing conditions, which is why many gardeners love them (besides the obvious aesthetic reasons).
However, these plants can’t handle frost, so if you live in a colder area (below zone 9), you’ll need to help them survive those freezing temperatures.
Luckily, it’s super easy!
These are the steps you need to take to keep your fern happy and healthy until spring:
1. Bring Your Boston Fern Inside
The first thing to do when getting your Boston fern ready for winter is bring it indoors – these ferns love being inside, so it’s a pretty easy move!
If it’s already in a pot, just bring it in before frost. If it’s in the ground, carefully dig it up, put it in a pot, and move it inside (be gentle with those roots!).
You should also check for any bugs that might be hiding in the leaves before you bring it inside – I bet you don’t want pests spreading to your other indoor plants!
Once it’s safe inside, treat it like any other houseplant. Keep it in a bright room that stays cool (around 63-72°F). Also, make sure it’s not near any heaters or drafty windows because that could dry it out quickly.
2. Trim Off Any Damaged Leaves
Bringing it indoors is not the only thing we are supposed to do to prep them for winter – you should also give your fern a little trim before it gets cold.
All you have to do is trim off any dry or browning fronds from the top and cut older fronds near the base to about 3-5 inches. Just be careful not to cut those fresh, young fronds.
And remember, don’t go overboard. Cutting more than a third of the plant can stress it out (don’t ask me how I know this).
A good trim helps get rid of dead leaves and encourages fuller growth once spring arrives.
Always use sharp, clean tools – something like bypass pruning shears can make the job a lot easier!
Related: Use These Methods To Propagate Boston Fern
3. Don’t Water As Much
Like most plants in winter, your Boston fern won’t be as thirsty as it is in the warmer months, so it’s important to cut back on watering.
Since they aren’t actively growing, too much water can do more harm than good.
But if you do keep watering the same as you did during the summer, your plant might suffer from root rot (that can completely ruin it).
They also don’t like for their soil to be completely dried out, so balance it well!
I personally use a soil moisture meter (Amazon has some great ones) to make sure my plants stay happy, though watering them once every 3-5 weeks should be enough.
4. Provide It With Good Insulation
Boston ferns aren’t exactly fans of the cold, so even indoors, a cooler room (like a garage or conservatory) can still affect their health.
One trick I’ve found handy is wrapping the pot with burlap – it will keep the roots nice and warm during the colder months. However, you could also use straw or frost-protection fleece to insulate the pot (anything to keep your fern cozy until spring).
Also read: Asparagus Fern Turning Yellow: 5 Common Problems And Solutions
5. Move It Back Outdoors When The Weather Gets Nicer
Once you’ve successfully grown your Boston fern through the winter, you should put them back outdoors as soon as the weather gets nicer.
Wait until the last frost has passed and the temperatures at night are around 65°F (anything below would be too cold for your precious fern).
Also, don’t forget to ease your fern back into outdoor life. Just like houseplants, it’ll need time to adapt to its new surroundings.
Start by placing it in a warm, shaded area to avoid leaf scorch and then bring it back to the place where it was before.
So, follow these steps and your Boston fern will be ready to enjoy many more springs!
Also read: These Are The 10 Houseplants You Should Move Outside For The Summer To Unleash Their Full Potential