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A mature Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) growing in a residential garden bedFoliage

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Boston Fern

Nephrolepis exaltata

Boston Fern is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 10-12, that matures to about 2-3 ft × 2-3 ft. It does best in part shade with medium water needs in well-drained soil. It stands up well to deer, grows happily in containers.

USDA zones
10-12
Sun
Part shade
Water
Medium
Mature size
2-3 ft × 2-3 ft
Spacing
12 inches-3 feet
Growth rate
Fast
Maintenance
Low
Soil
Well-drained
Foliage
Yellow, Green, Variegated
Tough against
Deer
Native to
Pantropical

Freeze survival

Will it survive your winters?

We score Boston Fern’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

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