Boston Fern is grown for its foliage and the structure it brings to a planting. Notably, it shrugs off deer and grows just as well in a container as in the ground.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5-7
Sun
Shade
Days to Maturity
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Score Boston Fern on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether boston fern actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score boston fern against your land's real conditions.
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What Boston Fern is
Boston Fern grows as a perennial and reaches around three feet at maturity. It's also deer-resistant and well suited to containers.
How to grow Boston Fern
Boston Fern does best in shade — at least 2 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5 to 7, on well-drained ground.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5 - 7
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Shade
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
3 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant boston fern in shade with at least 2 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Boston Fern prefers pH 5 to 7 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Keep it in good form
Prune boston fern to shape as it grows; the reward is its foliage and structure, not a harvest, so steady upkeep is the whole job.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — boston fern isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Boston Fern isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data — pair it with high-value bloomers nearby to feed bees.
Where Boston Fern thrives
Whether boston fern thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Boston Fern will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether boston fern actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Boston Fern in my zone?
Zone data for boston fern is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
When should you plant Boston Fern?
Most growers plant boston fern after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Boston Fern need?
Boston Fern is shade-tolerant — it gets by on as little as 2 hours of direct sun, so it earns a place most vegetables can't use. A north-facing strip or the ground under a leafy canopy is right where it belongs. A Growable Ground report shows which corners of your land stay shaded through the day, turning those dim spots into planting spots.
What soil does Boston Fern need?
Boston Fern prefers soil pH 5 to 7, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Boston Fern attract pollinators?
Boston Fern isn't classified as a notable pollinator plant in our data. Pairing it with high-value bloomers nearby keeps bees and butterflies fed.
Is Boston Fern safe for pets?
Boston Fern is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.