I live in Barrie Ontario and wondering if I can leave Boston ferns in planters outside yet?
Do I need to bring them inside at night?
Dear gardener,
The Boston fern, also known as Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis,’ is a very popular indoor house plant. If you would like to learn more about your pretty fern, you could get more information from the University of Wisconsin’s Horticulture Extension website.
The quick answer to your question about putting your Boston fern outside now, is No. Please wait until it is much warmer than it is now. I have just checked the temperature in Barrie for this week (April 20-27) and night-time temperatures range from -3 degrees to 7 degrees Centigrade.
The Boston fern is tropical and loves to be in temperatures that range from 15 degrees to 24 degrees Centigrade. Please do not consider putting your fern outside until the night-time temperatures reach a minimum consistent temperature of 10 degrees Centigrade. And in the meanwhile I am sure it is enhancing the beauty of your home.