How to water Nephrolepis exaltata

Keep Boston fern soil evenly damp without leaving the pot saturated. Check the mix, use soft water, let excess drain, and reduce watering in winter as growth slows.

Plant coveredNephrolepis exaltataBoston fern · indoor container

When to water

What to inspect

Keep the soil evenly damp and do not let the root zone dry out completely. This does not mean keeping the pot saturated.

What changes it

Reduce watering in winter. The plant is described as dormant then, and the seasonal direction is sparing watering rather than a universal stop date or dry period.

How to water thoroughly

  1. Check the mix and use soft water as needed to maintain even moisture. Keep water off the fronds where possible, let excess leave the container, and do not replace the check with a calendar.
  2. Use an evenly damp but well-drained potting mix and a container with a clear drainage path. Fronds can rot when they stay too wet, and overwatering raises the risk of root rot.

Signs of too much or too little water

Warning Signs

Drying soil, limp or declining fronds, soil that stays wet and rotting fronds call for a moisture, drainage and humidity check. Do not answer wet fronds or a saturated root zone with automatic extra watering.

Sources