Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Traits
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 25, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata, Boston fern, is a tropical fern native to humid forests of the Americas with long, gracefully arching fronds lined with bright green pinnae. One of the most popular ferns in cultivation, it is widely grown in hanging baskets and as a porch or indoor plant for its lush, full appearance. Starting at $6.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Non-flowering
- Flower Color
- Non-flowering
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Clay, Sandy, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Active growing season.
Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Grow Boston fern in bright indirect light or partial to full shade; avoid harsh direct sun, which scorches fronds. Outdoor plants in NE Florida thrive under tree canopy or on a shaded porch.
Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; water when the top inch of soil feels dry. In NE Florida's hot, humid summers, container plants may need daily watering; established landscape plants tolerate brief dry spells.
Plant in rich, organic, well-drained soil amended with peat or compost. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer lightly in spring and summer; avoid heavy feeding, which can burn roots.
Similar needs
Autumn Fern
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bald Cypress
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bamboo
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
Basswood
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
Bluestar
Shares 4 of the same needs: similar light, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
Boxwood
Shares 4 of the same needs: shade, moderate water, clay, and zone 9a hardiness.
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Common questions
Is Boston Fern a good plant for St. Augustine?
Boston Fern is a fern for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-3 feet × 2-4 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.