Boston ferns are a species of fern of the family Lomariopsidaceae. Also referred to as sword ferns, they thrive in tropical countries around the world. These ferns have sword-shaped, blue-green fronds and can grow up to three feet high. Boston ferns are slow growers, and could also succumb to illness and disease unless treated promptly.
How to save a dying Boston fern
- Water the dying fern and then leave it for at least an hour. Then, knock the pot and run a knife around the rootball. Remove the plant from the pot.
- Trim all the dying fronds down to at least two inches, and remove the dead fronds.
- Remove all the dying or dead roots, but leave the healthy ones as they can be revived.
- Prepare a new pot and place a piece of wire mesh in the bottom. Next, fill half the pot with well-draining organic soil.
- Replant the Boston fern and fill the surrounding space with potting mix.
- The compost should be moist but not soggy, and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
- Position your newly-planted Boston fern on a windowsill facing north, where it can get ample sunlight.
Reasons your Boston fern may be dying
Due to overwatering
Too much water is a common cause of death in house plants, including Boston ferns. These plants do not like waterlogged soil and if overwatered they will easily deteriorate. Plants that sit in water for long periods or are too saturated with water could develop root rot. Although Boston ferns prefer moist soil, they are not too keen on wet soil.
Plants suffer from overwatering either through too-frequent watering or through excess water that stays stagnant in the soil. Look out for these overwatering symptoms:
- The plants are losing vitality and the fronds are drooping.
- The soil is always wet.
- The leaves are turning yellow.
- The tips of the fronds are brown-colored.
- There is a rotting smell due to root rot.
To avoid overwatering and root rot, see to it that the pots have drainage holes so that any excess water can easily flow out. Ensure that there is no stagnant water in the pots and never allow the roots to sit in water.
Reduce watering during winter, since plants do not need as much water in cooler weather. To know when you should water them, check the soil’s top layer: it should be slightly damp, but not dry, before it needs to be watered again.
Due to underwatering
It is easy to tell if your ferns are dying from underwatering. The soil will be bone dry and the top layer will often be crusted. It is also likely that you will not be able to recall the last time you watered the plants.
Boston ferns start to dry up first on the tips of the fronds, and the dryness then progresses along the entire fronds. Once they become dried out, the leaves will eventually die and fall off. However, if there is at least one healthy frond remaining, you can still bring your fern back to life.
Common underwatering symptoms:
- The soil has been dry for a long time.
- The leaves and fronds are drying up.
- There are lots of fallen leaves around the plants.
Due to pests
Pests could attack Boston ferns and may kill the plants if they are left untreated. Inspect your plants for signs of pests on the underside of the foliage. Common symptoms of pests in plants include damaged and yellowing leaves, visible signs of pests in the soil or on the plants, and stunted growth.
Common pests that invade Boston ferns include the following:
- Spider mites
These pests are hard to spot and are often only noticed when there is already a large infestation. They are hard to see with the naked eye, and if you do see them, you will notice white, black, brown or red flecks moving around. They have a signature webbing that they leave on the plant, which is why they are referred to as spider mites.
- Fungus gnats
These pests are unlikely to kill a plant unless the infestation is severe, but they can destroy the roots. Use sticky traps or insecticidal soap to exterminate them.
Due to incorrect humidity
Boston ferns prefer high humidity levels, of above 50 percent or more. Occasional changes won’t hurt them, but humidity levels below 50 percent could result in dry fronds and a sickly appearance. If the humidity is too high it could also harm the plants, so ideally you should measure the humidity in your home.
Due to insufficient light
Boston ferns do best when exposed to indirect light. If they are in a spot where they do not get enough light, they may become sickly. They will benefit from morning sunlight and indirect afternoon sunlight.
Due to overfertilization
Too much fertilizer could damage your plants due to a build-up of minerals and salt in the soil. This can lead to the plants’ leaves drying up and turning yellow, and the growth may be stunted. If left unchecked, this could kill your Boston ferns. To fix the issue, you may have to re-pot the plants in fresh soil.
Due to the use of tap water
Although this is a rare occurrence, the use of tap water may harm the plants if it is heavy in minerals or is highly chlorinated. To fix this, opt for filtered water when watering your Boston ferns.
Conclusion
Boston ferns are herbaceous perennial plants that are commonly grown as houseplants. However, they are also prone to illness and diseases, and may die unless treated at the first onset of symptoms. You can help revive your Boston ferns by pruning off dead fronds and roots, re-potting them in fresh soil, and ensuring that their watering and humidity requirements are met.
Image: istockphoto.com / jane_chalit