The Boston Fern, Nephrolepis exaltata, is one of the most popular houseplants globally due to its elegant, arching fronds and lush green foliage. Highly valued for its aesthetic appeal and ability to improve indoor air quality, its dense growth makes it an ideal specimen for hanging baskets or pedestals in bright, indirect light settings. Acquiring a healthy specimen requires knowing the best sources and understanding the specific markers of plant vitality. This guide explores retail options and provides actionable advice on selecting and caring for your new fern.
Local and Physical Retail Options
The most direct way to select a Boston Fern is through local and physical garden centers, which allow for immediate, hands-on inspection. Dedicated nurseries often cultivate mature, well-established ferns acclimatized to local conditions. Staff typically possess horticultural knowledge, which is invaluable for answering questions about the plant’s health or cultivar variations. Purchasing locally often ensures the plant is already thriving in a similar environment to your home.
Larger chain retailers and big box stores offer convenience and lower prices, particularly during peak planting seasons. While selection may be extensive, plants at these locations may have received less specialized care during transit. Close inspection is necessary to confirm they have not been subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations or inconsistent watering schedules.
Temporary local sources, such as farmers’ markets or plant swaps, can also offer unique or locally propagated Boston Ferns, often younger specimens grown by hobbyists. The primary benefit of all physical purchases is the ability to visually confirm the density of the fronds and the overall structural integrity of the plant before purchase.
Specialized Online Sources
Specialized online plant retailers offer access to a wider variety of cultivars and sizes unavailable locally. These e-commerce businesses focus heavily on the logistics of shipping live, delicate plants, utilizing specialized packaging materials like custom-fitted boxes and protective wraps to mitigate shock and physical damage during transit.
Reputable online growers typically offer purchase guarantees, providing security against damage incurred during shipping. These guarantees often stipulate a timeframe for reporting issues, requiring photographic evidence of damage upon arrival. When utilizing larger online marketplaces, thoroughly check the seller’s reputation and read specific reviews regarding the condition of their shipped foliage.
The convenience of home delivery is a significant benefit, especially for large specimens cumbersome to transport. Purchasing online allows the buyer to source plants directly from growers who specialize in ferns, ensuring the specimen has received optimal care until shipping. This method provides a reliable alternative when local inventory is limited.
Assessing Plant Health Before Buying
Regardless of the purchasing location, the physical examination of a Boston Fern specimen is the most important step in ensuring long-term success. Begin the inspection by examining the underside of the fronds and the crown of the plant for common houseplant pests. Spider mites are a frequent concern for ferns and appear as fine webbing or tiny, moving dots, often near the point where the fronds attach to the main stem. Scale insects, which resemble small, brown, immobile bumps, and mealybugs, which look like small tufts of white cotton, should also be searched for meticulously.
A healthy plant should exhibit a uniform, lush green color without excessive yellowing or large patches of brown, dried tissue. Minor brown tipping on fronds is often a sign of low humidity but is usually not a cause for rejection unless the damage is widespread or severe. The fronds themselves should feel turgid and slightly pliable, not brittle or limp, indicating adequate hydration. Gently check the density of the foliage, looking for a full, symmetrical appearance that suggests even growth and sufficient light exposure. Avoid plants that appear sparse on one side or have numerous bare spots near the soil line.
Finally, examine the roots by gently lifting the plant slightly from its pot, if possible, without disturbing the soil structure. Roots that are tightly bound and circling the pot indicate the plant is severely rootbound and will require immediate repotting, which is a stressful event for a new fern. A slight resistance when lifting the plant is normal, but the roots should not be visibly protruding from the drainage holes in large masses.
Immediate Care After Purchase
Once the Boston Fern arrives, immediate steps must be taken to ensure successful acclimation and reduce transplant shock. The first priority is proper placement, selecting an area that receives bright, indirect light, ideally from an east or north-facing window. Avoid placing the fern in direct sun, as this can scorch the delicate foliage and cause rapid dehydration.
Boston Ferns are sensitive to drafts and sudden temperature changes, so keep them away from exterior doors, heating vents, and air conditioning units. They thrive in high humidity; providing a humidity tray or positioning the plant near a humidifier can help mitigate the stress of a drier indoor environment.
An initial quarantine period of two to three weeks is highly recommended, especially if the new fern will be placed near existing houseplants. Isolating the plant allows for observation and treatment of any pests or diseases missed during the initial inspection. Check the soil moisture upon arrival and water thoroughly only if the top inch of soil feels dry.