Q&A for How to Care for Boston Ferns

They need to be watered enough to keep the top of the soil from drying out.

It depends on the type of fern. The majority of the ferns out there do great in partial shade or casual sun.

The leaves on your fern may be turning brown due to bad soil, poor water drainage, or too much sun.

The amount of sun needed by these plants varies based on what the time of year is. During the fall months, they like indirect light.

Your Boston fern will likely do best in low to moderate indirect sunlight.

It's actually preferable for Boston ferns to be in morning sun. They need at least two hours of indirect sunlight each day.

These root nodules are simply part of the fern. They not only help the plant propagate itself, but also help in the absorption of water and nutrients.

This problem is generally related to under watering. It is recommended that you thoroughly water the plant until water runs out of the bottom of the pot, being careful to not water again until soil is dry to the touch.

Yes. Just avoid direct sunlight -- try to keep them moist and shaded.

Yes. If your house is dry, you must mist them occasionally, and never let the soil become too dry.

Yes, they will. Plants use certain air pollutants that we can't use to support their natural biological processes.

Purchase houseplant food at your local gardening supply store. Read the instructions on the packaging, and dilute it so that it is half as strong for your fern.

Boston ferns die if exposed to temperatures lower than 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or -1.1 to 1.7 degrees Celsius.

If they're dark brown/black spots lined up in rows, they're spores that allow the plant to reproduce and will eventually fall to the soil and grow.

Boston ferns can survive mild winters, if the temperature doesn't dip below 30 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, or -1.1 to 1.7 degrees Celsius. The plant will basically go dormant, like a hibernation mode for plants. Try to give it a bit of shelter or protection, and prune it before winter hits.

No, Boston ferns are not poisonous to cats. However, cats can still become ill if they eat Boston ferns, so it's best to limit this.

When the leaves fall off, the stem that they grow on remains. That's what you're seeing. Look closely at the leaves that are still there and you will notice the stem.

It's a good idea to give the fern's leaves a little extra moisture. You should spray them every few days, in addition to the typical watering of the roots.

These may be fern caterpillars. You can remove the ones you see by hand. The top recommendation to prevent these is to create a spray of pyrethrum powder, which is typically found at gardening and home improvement stores, and some laundry soap. Spray it on your plant and observe.

Make sure that you keep the soil constantly moist, and that humidity levels are over 50%. Place your fern in indirect sunlight, and bring it inside if the daytime temperatures fall outside of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius), or if the night temperatures fall outside of 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 18 degrees Celsius).

Sticky substances on fern leaves are typically left from insects. To get rid of the insects, you can try spraying your fern with water in order to physically remove them. If you continue to notice the substance, spray your fern with a mild insecticide or a natural insect repellant.

Honestly, from the sound of it your plant is simply still too young to have long fronds. Give it time. This is one of the simplest plants to grow as long as you give it enough indirect sunlight and don't over/under water it too often.

Probably. They don't like frosts and can die down to ground level, but can grow back in the spring. Try to bring them indoors and let them rest over winter.

No; it has outgrown its pot. You need to replant it in a larger container and add potting mixture to finish filling it.

They are air roots. The more there are, the better it is for your plant.

Those are strands that used to have leaves. The leaves die and fall off, but the strand stays.

Yes. It's a good idea to trim back the old "branches." You should typically do this during the growing season to make room for new growth.

Tap water is OK, as long as you let it sit out for a few hours first for the chemicals to evaporate out. Just be sure to avoid softened water.

Do not pull the ferns out as it can do damage to the root ball. If leaves become discolored or die, cut them with sharp scissors as close to the roots as possible.

Those are leafless fronds. Those are normal on new plants and should be cut off to allow for new growth.