Pruning Boston Ferns For Winter

Pruning evergreen ferns To avoid a mish-mash mess, cut all of the fronds from your fern to the ground late each winter or early each spring. Once all of the fronds are cut down, each plant should look like a tiny, curled fist on the ground.

How do you prune a fern for winter?

Using sharp pruners, cut the fern fronds down to the ground. Late winter or early spring is the best timing, before the new fronds start to emerge. I usually cut them down sometime in March. Once all of the fronds are cut down, small “curled fist” or “knuckles” start forming at the base of the plant.

How do you winterize a Boston fern?

Find a Spot: Basements, garages, barns, a cool corner of a room would all be good locations for overwintering your ferns. Ferns need moderate, indirect lighting. Keep them away from a southern facing window, as the harsh light can burn the edges of the fronds.

What happens if you don't cut back ferns?

For outdoor ferns, the fronds will eventually die back and provide natural mulch and protection of the crown. For indoor ferns, the old foliage will be overgrown by new fronds, leaving a tatty collar around the edge of the crown (and pot). The main reason to cut away old fronds is therefore aesthetic.

Can you trim ferns without killing them?

As you begin cutting, you can cut nearly all the way down to the base of the fern without harming it. So go deep and leave just a few inches sticking up. Older ferns will have a pretty substantial base, especially those that were not regularly trimmed while newer ferns won't have as much base.

Do you cut ferns back in autumn?

If your fern is growing outdoors, cutting back the foliage in the fall after it turns yellow will improve the look of your plant. You can also spruce up an indoor fern by trimming off any dead or brown fronds.

Can Boston ferns survive winter?

Boston Ferns can only survive temperatures down to around 20-40 degrees and can only survive the high end of that range when handing in a pot. So get those plants inside when it starts to get chilly outdoors and don't worry when the fronds start to turn yellow and brown and start shedding.

When should I cut back my Boston fern?

How & When to Prune Boston Fern. While routine trimming of discolored and unattractive foliage can be performed at any time, severe pruning is best accomplished in spring or summer. An ideal time for pruning is during repotting, when plants can be dramatically cut back.

Can Boston ferns be left outside in winter?

In USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, Boston ferns can be grown outdoors year-round. During the dormant season, their need for supplemental irrigation and fertilization will be greatly reduced.

Do Boston ferns outgrow their pots?

Although this classic houseplant requires minimal maintenance, it periodically outgrows its container– usually every two to three years. Repotting Boston fern into a larger container isn't a difficult job, but timing is important.

How long do Boston ferns live?

Boston ferns can live for more than 100 years, provided that you give them what they need in terms of nutrients, water, and sufficient light. They have been around for more than 350 million years, and they're still thriving.

How do you make a bushy fern?

1. Repot the ferns into large planters or hanging baskets.
2. Fertilize.
3. Water frequently, but water the right way.
4. Cut off any brown fronds.
5. Choose the right light.
6. Rotate occasionally.
7. Don't toss the metal basket!

How do you take care of a Boston fern outside?

Boston fern outdoors requires plenty of water and isn't drought tolerant. Provide enough water to keep the soil consistently moist, but never allow the soil to remain soggy or waterlogged. If you live in a dry climate, mist the plant lightly on hot days.

Do you cut runners off ferns?

Runners will extend out from a large Boston fern and will gradually develop roots. These runners are called stolons. You can remove these at the base of the old plant and repot them in sterile potting soil.

What time of year do you split ferns?

Early spring is a good time to divide a fern before its fronds unfurl, before it comes into growth (or in Autumn apparently).

Can I cut my fern in half?

Over-sized ferns can actually be split in early fall to create smaller plants. Plants that can then be brought indoors to overwinter and use again next year. Not only is it a great way to keep your fern plant alive, but a perfect way to create even more ferns for next year's porch and patio!

What is the coldest temperature a Boston fern can tolerate?

One of the oldest plants in the world, Boston Ferns like bright but indirect sunlight and optimum temperatures of 60°F – 75°F /15°C – 24°C but will tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F /10°C.

Will my Boston fern come back next year?

When growing Boston ferns indoors, with proper care, these plants are perennials. This means you will enjoy your plant for years to come, decades even.

Where do you put ferns in the winter?

For best results, you need to find a location that is cool, but protected from freezing conditions. For many, a basement works great, but a garage, or even a corner in a cool room in the house works well too. Ferns do not require full sun or bright light to survive through the winter months.

Will Boston ferns come back after a freeze?

Ferns can recover from a freeze as long as the roots and rhizome have not been killed. Potted ferns should be moved into a porch, garage or utility room that is sheltered but not heated like the main house, and the extent of root damage assessed.