Boston Ferns, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Boston fern is the arching sword fern most people picture, a fountain of feathery fronds 2 to 3 feet tall that does well in SW Florida shade and suits beds under trees, north and east walls and big lanai pots. Give it steady moisture. We deliver and plant 3 gallon ferns, set at the right depth and watered in.
- Light:
- Part shade to shade; avoid hot midday sun
- Water:
- Regular; keep evenly moist but never soggy
- Salt:
- Low
Boston Fern sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Boston Fern | 3 Gallon |
Boston Fern in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 2 to 3 ft tall and about 3 ft wide
- Light
- Part shade to shade; avoid hot midday sun
- Water
- Regular; keep evenly moist but never soggy
- Salt tolerance
- Low
- Cold tolerance
- Fronds burn at frost but the plant often regrows from the roots; cover or move potted ferns on frost nights
- Growth rate
- Moderate to fast in warm, wet weather
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft apart for a mass planting
- Florida native
- Yes, the species is native; Boston types are cultivated selections
- Botanical name
- Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'
Where Boston Fern works in a SW Florida yard
Boston ferns look best massed in a drift, not dotted singly, along a shaded foundation, under a tree canopy that gets irrigation, or beside a north or east wall. Their arching fronds soften hard edges at walls and walkways. Cast iron plant takes the driest, darkest spots nearby, while bromeliads and ti plants add color and bolder leaf shapes.
- Shaded beds and borders
- Under-tree understory
- North and east walls
- Lanai pots
How our crew plants it
Plant ferns in part shade 2 to 3 feet apart, with the crown level with the soil and never buried. Sandy soil dries fast, so working in compost helps hold moisture. Our crew waters in and cleans up.
Lee and Collier allow extra watering on new plantings, which ferns appreciate while they root. Mulch two inches deep, clear of the crown.
Care after planting
- Keep the soil evenly moist, and check sandy beds often in the dry season because they dry out fast.
- Feed lightly in spring and fall with a balanced fertilizer, skipping June 1 to September 30 in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island, since heavy feeding burns fronds.
- Cut old brown fronds to the base in late winter so fresh growth shows.
- Cover or move potted ferns on frost nights, and trim burned fronds once the cold passes.
What to watch for
- Dry soil or hot afternoon sun crisps the fronds quickly, and most failures trace back to a watering gap.
- Scale insects and mealybugs hide on frond undersides, and wiping them off or using horticultural oil clears them.
Boston Fern questions we hear
Can Boston ferns grow outside in Florida all year?+
Yes, in SW Florida they grow outdoors year-round in shade with steady moisture. Frost burns the fronds, and a hard freeze can kill the tops, though the roots often regrow in spring. Coastal Lee and Collier are the easier sites, and Lehigh Acres needs more protection.
How much light does a Boston fern need?+
Part shade to shade. Morning sun is fine, but hot midday and afternoon sun scorches the fronds. Dappled light under a tree or a north or east wall is ideal. Too little light makes the plant thin and sparse.
Why are my Boston fern's fronds turning brown?+
Dry soil and too much sun are the usual causes. Sandy beds can dry out in a day or two in the dry season, so check the soil often and water deeply. Move potted ferns out of afternoon sun, and cut brown fronds to the base so fresh ones fill in.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Boston Fern
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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