Boston Fern

Name: Boston Fern
Brand: MyGreenScape
SKU: PB0696S
Price: 12.0 CAD
Availability: InStock

Boston Fern

$12

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Size 3.5" Pot - Small

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About This Plant

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, where it grows in humid forests and swamps. Indoors it produces long, arching fronds densely covered with small, soft, bright green leaflets that cascade gracefully from a hanging basket or over the edge of a shelf.

It fills a hanging basket faster than most other ferns. The Boston Fern grows vigorously in spring and summer and produces dense, cascading fronds that cover a basket completely within one season. It works well in a bright bathroom, a humid kitchen, or any east-facing window where it can trail freely.

Safe for cats and dogs. The ASPCA confirms Nephrolepis exaltata is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Boston Fern is one of the most widely recommended pet-safe plants for Canadian homes. Pets can chew on the fronds without medical concern, though encouraging any chewing is not ideal. The Birds Nest Fern is another confirmed pet-safe fern with a very different look.

Humidity is the most important factor for this plant. Boston Fern is the most humidity-demanding of the commonly available indoor ferns. In its natural habitat it grows in permanently humid conditions. The dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes from November onward is the hardest thing for this plant to cope with.

Winter Slowdown

The Boston Fern does not go dormant but it is one of the hardest ferns to keep through a Canadian winter. Growth slows from November onward and the dry forced-air heating causes rapid leaflet drop, leaving bare stems. Keep the soil consistently moist, never dry, and keep the plant away from heating vents.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed by the ASPCA (Nephrolepis exaltata). Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pests

Spider mites are the main pest and thrive in the dry heated air of Canadian homes from November onward, Check the undersides of fronds when watering. Scale insects can also appear on the stems. The best prevention is keeping humidity high, which makes conditions unfavourable for mites.

Other Plants You Might Like

Not sure this is the right fit? Here are three other plants our Canadian customers love. All ship across Canada and thrive in Canadian homes.

Blue Star Fern. Same family, more forgiving.

For a fern that handles dry Canadian indoor air much more easily than the Boston Fern, the Blue Star Fern has wide blue-green fronds and suits average indoor humidity without a humidifier.

Asparagus Fern. Fast-growing and trailing.

For a trailing plant with similar soft, feathery texture that is also easier through Canadian winters, the Asparagus Fern fills a hanging basket quickly and handles moderate humidity better.

Birds Nest Fern. Pet-safe and low-maintenance.

For a pet-safe fern that stays lush through Canadian winters without a humidifier, the Birds Nest Fern has broad wavy fronds in a rosette and handles lower humidity than the Boston Fern.

Common Questions

How often should I water the Boston Fern?

Keep the soil consistently and evenly moist at all times. Water when the very top of the soil feels barely dry, roughly every four to five days in spring and summer. In a Canadian winter, check every five to seven days. Never let the soil dry out significantly as leaflet drop starts within days of drought stress. Our indoor plant watering guide shows how to check correctly.

Why is it dropping leaflets everywhere?

Leaflet drop is the Boston Fern's main response to stress and happens for three reasons in Canadian homes: the soil dried out, the air got too dry from heating vents, or the plant was moved to a spot with less light. Check the soil first. If dry, water immediately. If soil is fine, the dry air from forced-air heating is almost certainly the cause. Move it away from vents and run a humidifier nearby.

Is the Boston Fern safe for cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA confirms Nephrolepis exaltata is non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is one of the most widely recommended pet-safe houseplants available.

Does it need a humidifier in a Canadian home?

Yes, in winter. The Boston Fern needs humidity above 50 percent to hold its fronds. The forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes drops indoor humidity well below that from November through March. A humidifier running nearby is the most practical solution. Misting helps briefly but does not maintain adequate humidity. Read our tips on keeping plants alive in winter for more.

What light does it need in a Canadian home?

Medium to bright indirect light is ideal. An east-facing window gives the gentle light it prefers. It tolerates lower light but grows slowly and the fronds become less lush. Avoid direct afternoon sun which scorches and dries the delicate leaflets. Read our guide to light requirements for indoor plants to find the right spot.

How to Take Care of Boston Fern

Good to Know

Sun: Indirect

Medium to bright indirect light is ideal. An east-facing window in a Canadian home works well year-round. Avoid direct afternoon sun which dries and scorches the feathery leaflets quickly. In winter, keep it in the brightest indirect spot available.

Light: Medium to bright indirect

A spot near an east-facing window works best. From October to February when Canadian daylight shortens, keep it as close to the brightest indirect light as possible. Low light causes slower growth and less lush fronds but does not immediately harm the plant.

Water: Consistently moist

Keep the soil evenly and consistently moist at all times. Never let it dry out significantly. Water every four to five days in spring and summer, every five to seven days in a Canadian winter. This is the one fern where consistent moisture matters more than almost any other care factor.

Humidity: High, humidifier recommended

Needs humidity above 50 percent to hold its fronds. The dry forced-air heating in Ontario and Quebec homes in winter causes rapid leaflet drop. A humidifier running nearby is the most effective solution from November to March. Misting helps briefly but cannot maintain the needed humidity level.

Pet Friendly: Yes

Non-toxic to cats and dogs, confirmed by the ASPCA. Safe for homes with pets and small children.

Pro Tip

If the Boston Fern loses most of its fronds through the winter due to dry air, do not throw it away. Cut all the bare and browning stems back to about 5 cm above the soil in February or early March. As Canadian daylight returns and temperatures warm, the plant will push a flush of fresh new growth. This is one of the most reliable ways to revive a struggling Boston Fern after a difficult Canadian heating season.

What To Expect

Shipping and Delivery Details

Choose local GTA delivery, free Richmond Hill pickup, or shipping across Canada. Pick your delivery or pickup date at checkout, we'll have it ready and fresh for you. See full shipping and delivery details.

30-Day Happy Plant Guarantee

If your plant arrives damaged or isn't healthy, contact us within 30 days with a photo. We'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping.

View our complete guarantee policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Certainly! If you're pondering about ordering plants online, you're not alone. We've compiled the most frequently asked questions. Check out our FAQ section here for quick answers! Happy planting!

Plant and Pot Size Guide

4" Pot (Small): plant is approx. 6-10 inches tall. 6" Pot (Medium): approx. 12-18 inches tall. All plants come in a standard nursery pot. Decorative pots are sold separately.

Winter Shipping Protection

Between November and March, you can add Winter Shipping Protection at checkout. It adds insulated packaging and heat packs to protect your plant from the cold in transit. Cold damage is only covered if it's added to your order.

You can add winter shipping protection at checkout.

Returns Policy

If your plant arrives damaged, has pests, or starts to decline within 30 days, we'll send a replacement or a full refund, and we cover return shipping.

Change of mind, repotted or trimmed plants, and cold damage without Winter Shipping Protection aren't covered. See our full Return Policy

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