Selling size: Well rooted plant | 2.5 inch square pot included |Secure Packing

The Golden Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Aurea’) is a striking cultivar of the common Boston Fern. Its care requirements are very similar to its green cousin, but with a slight adjustment for its golden-yellow foliage.

Here is a guide to keeping your Golden Boston Fern healthy and vibrant:

1. Light

Bright, Indirect Light is Best: The golden color will be most vibrant in bright, filtered light.
Avoid Direct Sun: Direct, intense sunlight can easily scorch the delicate fronds, turning them brown and crispy.
Tolerates Lower Light: It can tolerate partial shade or less intense light, but the growth will be slower, and the foliage may appear less golden and more green.
Ideal Placement: Near a north or east-facing window, or several feet away from a bright south or west-facing window.

2. Watering

Keep Soil Consistently Moist: The key to a happy fern is consistently moist, but not soggy, soil. It dislikes drying out completely.
Check Before Watering: Water thoroughly when the top $1text{ inch}$ of soil feels just dry to the touch.
Do Not Overwater: Ensure your pot has excellent drainage to prevent the roots from sitting in water, which leads to root rot.
Reduce in Winter: Decrease watering frequency in the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

3. Humidity

High Humidity is Crucial: As a tropical plant, the Boston Fern craves high humidity (ideally above 50%). Low humidity is the most common reason for crispy, brown frond tips.
How to Increase Humidity:
- Pebble Tray: Place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and a little water, ensuring the pot bottom does not sit in the water.
- Misting: Mist the fronds regularly, especially during dry winter months when indoor heating is running. Use distilled or filtered water to prevent mineral spots.
- Location: Place the plant in a naturally humid room, like a bathroom or kitchen.
- Group Plants: Grouping plants together helps create a localized microclimate of higher humidity.

4. Soil and Potting

Soil: Use a light, well-draining, and moisture-retentive potting mix. A peat moss or coco coir-based mix with perlite is ideal.
Repotting: Repot in the spring every one to two years, or when the plant becomes root-bound (roots are tightly circling the inside of the pot). Only move up one pot size at a time.

5. Temperature

Warm Temperatures: The Golden Boston Fern prefers average indoor temperatures between $65^{circ}text{F}$ and $75^{circ}text{F}$ ( $18^{circ}text{C}$ and $24^{circ}text{C}$ ).
Avoid Extremes: Keep it away from cold drafts (like doorways or open windows) and heat sources (like radiators or heat vents), as sudden temperature changes or dry air can cause the fronds to drop.

6. Fertilizer

Fertilize Sparingly: Ferns are light feeders.
Frequency: Feed once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) using a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to half or quarter strength.
No Fertilizer in Winter: Stop feeding entirely during the fall and winter months.

7. Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Pruning: Trim off any dead, yellow, or entirely brown fronds at the base with clean, sharp scissors to encourage new growth and maintain a tidy appearance.
Brown Tips: The most common issue. This is almost always due to low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase misting or use a pebble tray, and ensure the soil is not drying out between waterings.
Pet Safety: Golden Boston Ferns (like all Nephrolepis ferns) are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, making them a safe choice for most households with pets. However, ingesting any large amount of non-food plant matter can still cause minor stomach upset.