Yes, Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata) can be easily propagated at home, offering a simple and rewarding way to multiply your houseplant collection. This lush, tropical plant is prized for its arching, feathery fronds and is a vigorous grower indoors. When it matures, it offers two primary methods for home propagation. The process involves either dividing the main root structure or utilizing the plant’s unique above-ground growths to start new plants.
Propagating Through Division
Division is the most reliable propagation method, often performed when the parent plant has outgrown its container or needs repotting. This process is best done during the active growing season, typically spring or early summer. Water the fern well beforehand to make the root ball manageable, then gently remove the entire plant from its pot.
Once unpotted, carefully loosen the soil from the root mass to expose the plant’s structure. Look for natural clumps, or crowns, each with a healthy cluster of fronds and a distinct section of roots. Separate the root ball using a clean, sharp knife, shears, or your hands, ensuring each division has substantial roots and at least one or two healthy fronds.
Minimize the time roots are exposed to air to prevent drying out and transplant shock. Immediately replant each section into its own container filled with fresh, moist, well-draining potting mix. The new pot should be only slightly larger than the divided root ball, which helps prevent root rot. Water the new divisions thoroughly after repotting to settle the soil and begin recovery.
Propagating Using Runners
An equally effective method involves the plant’s specialized growths called runners, or stolons. These thin, wiry stems extend horizontally from the base of the plant, allowing the fern to spread naturally. Small plantlets often develop along the length of these runners, ready to root and become independent plants.
Identify runners with a developing plantlet at the tip that are long enough to reach a separate, small pot placed next to the parent plant. Fill this secondary container with moist potting mix. Gently pin the plantlet down onto the soil surface, keeping the runner attached to the mother plant. A bent paperclip or wire can hold the plantlet firmly against the soil.
The plantlet receives nutrients from the parent while developing its own root system in the new pot. After four to six weeks, check for resistance when gently tugging on the plantlet, indicating new roots have formed. Once established, simply sever the runner connection using clean scissors, making the small fern fully self-sufficient.
Essential Care for New Plants
The first few months following propagation are a vulnerable time for new Boston fern divisions and plantlets, requiring extra attention for successful establishment. Humidity is a primary factor, as these tropical plants thrive in high moisture levels, ideally above 60%. Maintain high humidity by placing the new pots on a humidity tray filled with pebbles and water, ensuring the pot bottoms do not sit directly in the water.
Humidity and Light
To boost humidity, temporarily cover the container with a clear plastic bag or dome, creating a miniature greenhouse environment. The newly potted ferns need bright, indirect light to fuel photosynthesis and root development. Direct sunlight will quickly scorch their delicate fronds, especially those recovering.
An east-facing window or a spot several feet away from a south-facing window provides suitable light conditions. Watering must be consistent during this establishment phase, as the new plants are sensitive to drying out. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged.
Watering and Transition
Check the top inch of soil regularly and water when it feels only slightly dry. After several months of steady new growth, which signals a robust root system has formed, gradually transition the new ferns to the standard care routine of a mature Boston fern. This includes slightly less frequent watering and the introduction of a diluted fertilizer during the growing season.