How to Care for Boston Ferns in Winter

For a pteridophyte neophyte, this loss of vitality and vibrancy can be heartbreaking. But for seasoned growers, this is simply part of the process, as routine as shoveling snow after a blizzard.

Yes, it’s a bit unpleasant now, but once it’s warmer out, dormancy will be a distant memory.

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During this overwintering period, there are some actions that a green thumb can take to keep this plant healthy, along with priming it for eventual re-growth once spring starts.

Additionally, wintertime N. exaltata cultivation needs will change somewhat, in ways that every gardener should be aware of.

In this guide, we’ll cover the hows and whys of overwintering a Boston fern, along with some items that you’ll need throughout the whole process.

Feel free to give the itinerary a quick look-see:

Benefits of Proper Overwintering

There are advantages to overwintering the right way, as opposed to simply winging it.

Cost

Plants ain’t cheap, so having to purchase new flora to replace those that died during the winter would make anyone’s wallet feel a bit light.

By overwintering, you can continue to grow the same perennial specimen year after year!

Aesthetics

An N. exaltata won’t look its best during the winter, but when properly overwintered by following recommended care practices, it’ll survive to see the return of spring, and it will look much better than one that’s completely left alone.

Health and Vigor

N. exaltata foliage will most likely start to brown in winter when grown outdoors in regions that are hit by frost, and these decaying fronds are alluring entry points for pests and pathogens.

By snipping these weak spots when you see them, infestations and infections are less likely to occur.

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Additionally, a Boston fern that’s overwintered properly will be optimally primed for vibrant regrowth come spring!

Longevity

A pretty obvious advantage, but it’s one that’s definitely worth stating.

Winter is a vulnerable time for many plants, and if they’re not cared for and treated properly, the harsh conditions could easily kill them. This is true for both outdoor specimens and houseplants that remain indoors year round.

Even though their environment hasn’t changed all that much, N. exaltata plants grown indoors don’t require as much sun, water, or nutrients in winter as they do during the growing season.

So if you treat them the same in winter as you would in summer, you’ll be left with a sun-scorched, over-watered, and over-fertilized Boston fern… which is bad, obviously.

Proper care techniques that change to adapt to the needs of your plants at different times of year can not only help them to look better during the growing season as described above, they can keep them going for many years.

In all other Zones, ideally, you’ll want to bring an outdoor Boston fern indoors before temperatures start to consistently plunge below 45° F.

If the fall weather in your area is erratic or inconsistent, keep a close eye on the forecast if you’re not yet prepared to bring your plants inside.

You can cover your specimens with lightweight blankets or sheets on those anomalously cold days as long as you get outside in advance of the cold snap. Be sure to remove the coverings when temperatures warm in the morning.

Before you bring your ferns inside, though, you’ll need to thoroughly spray down your plants with water first in order to knock any pests off of the tops and the bottoms of the fronds.

After spraying, leave the plants out in the sun for a day to dry. A warmer day is going to be ideal for doing this, when the temperatures remain at or above at least 60° F.

After this spray-and-dry process is complete, you’ll want to give your N. exaltata a quick pruning. First, remove any brown or damaged fronds. Then snip off any fronds that are significantly longer than average to create a pleasing shape.

Cut fronds can easily fall into the mass of foliage, so give your plants a good ruffle or shake when you’re finished, just like the kind you’d give your own head after a haircut.

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You may need to utilize a weather app or website in order to schedule all of this out, and be sure to make a note in your gardening journal!

Log the average dates when these temperatures and seasonal changes in the weather are likely to occur, and plan accordingly.

If cool or cold temps occur sooner or later than anticipated, you may need to make some slight adjustments to your calendar – it’s best to be prepared!

At this point, all of the ferns that you want to overwinter indoors should be taken inside, unless they’re grown year-round as houseplants.

Location-wise, pick cool to moderately warm (60 to 75°F) locations in indirectly lit spots in or adjacent to your home such as garages, basements, or the corners of rooms. Keep the plants away from south-facing windows – the intense light could scorch the fronds.

Place each N. exaltata on its own pebble-and-water-filled tray.

For even more humidity, group plants close together so that their combined, adjacent evapotranspiration promotes a humid environment. Remember that indoor heating in the winter dries out the indoor environment.

The irrigation needs of these plants throughout the winter are going to be lower than they were during the growing season, so only water the plants when the soil dries out completely.

You can use your finger to test this, or try a moisture meter. Supplemental fertilization should be avoided throughout the winter.

Your Boston ferns might drop some fronds or develop paler-looking foliage in the winter, and this is to be expected. For the most part, this is normal. But if it happens in excess, double-check and ensure that your environment is adequately lit, cool, and humid.

When winter is over and temperatures start to hit and remain in the 60s on a regular basis, feel free to move your indoor Boston ferns to their usual spots inside, and bring the outdoor ones back outside to reacclimate.

Just as you would if hardening off transplants, it’s best to bring them out for half an hour on the first day, an hour on the second, and so on, increasing the amount of time spent outside for another half an hour each day until they’ve fully adjusted and they’re able to rejoin your patio or garden.

If the temperatures decide to drop out of nowhere, be prepared to bring your plants back inside until the weather warms consistently.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Outdoor