Plants
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata · Nephrolepidaceae
The Boston fern is the classic among indoor ferns — lush, homely and completely non-toxic to pets. Its long, elegantly arching fronds make it the perfect hanging and pedestal plant. We select our Boston ferns at the Veiling Rhein-Maas in dense nursery quality, so you get a full, healthy plant from day one.
- Light
- Bright to partial shade, no direct sun.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist, never let the root ball dry out completely — avoid waterlogging.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Nephrolepis exaltata
Few houseplants have had such a long career: Boston ferns already hung in brass planters in Victorian parlours, and in the 1970s no living room was complete without one. Today it is making a comeback — rightly so, because its fresh green, finely feathered fronds instantly soften any room.
Depending on the cultivar, the fronds grow 50 to 100 centimetres long and arch gracefully. That is why the Boston fern looks best elevated or hanging: on a stool, a shelf or in a hanging basket by the bathroom window.
Its most important need is humidity. In the tropics, Nephrolepis grows in shady, permanently moist undergrowth — it responds to dry heating air with brown frond tips. A spot in the bathroom or kitchen, regular misting or a tray of moist pebbles keep it happy.
For households with cats, dogs or small children, the Boston fern is one of our first recommendations in our Düsseldorf shop: it is one of the few lush green plants that is completely harmless — even if a frond tip gets nibbled.
Is Boston Fern toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
The Boston fern is non-toxic to cats, dogs and children — one of the safest green housemates of all and our standard recommendation for pet households.
Typical symptoms: No poisoning symptoms expected; at most a mild upset stomach after very large nibbled amounts.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Bright to partially shaded spot without direct sun — a north or east window is ideal.
- 02Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; use soft, low-lime water if possible.
- 03Provide high humidity: mist regularly or place it in the bathroom.
- 04Feed lightly every two to four weeks from March to September.
- 05Cut dry fronds off at the base — the plant readily regrows from the centre.
Frequently asked
- Is the Boston fern toxic to cats?
- No. Nephrolepis exaltata is non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. That makes it one of the best choices for pet households — unlike many other lush green plants.
- Why are the frond tips turning brown?
- Almost always dry air is to blame — especially above a radiator in winter. Move the fern somewhere cooler or more humid (bathroom, kitchen) and mist it regularly with soft water.
- Is the Boston fern suitable for the bathroom?
- Yes, perfectly — as long as there is a window. The high humidity after showering is exactly the climate the fern knows from the tropical undergrowth.
- How often should I water a Boston fern?
- Usually twice a week in summer, less often in winter. The root ball should always stay slightly moist — if it dries out completely, the fern quickly sheds leaflets.