How to Propagate Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
| Methods | Division |
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Best season | Spring |
| Time to root | Instant — already rooted at division |
| Group | Houseplant |
Boston fern divides at the root crown, and the plant is far more forgiving of this than most ferns — a thick, established root ball can be split into several healthy divisions.
Division
- Remove the plant from its pot.
- Look at the crown for natural separations between fronds and roots.
- Pull or cut sections apart, each with fronds and roots attached.
- Pot each division in moist, well-draining mix.
- Keep humidity high while divisions settle.
When to propagate
Spring, ideally alongside repotting.
Common problems
Fronds turned brown after division. Low humidity is the usual cause — increase humidity and trim damaged fronds.
Questions people ask
Can I grow new ferns from the runners it sends out? Yes — Boston fern produces above-ground runners that root where they touch soil, similar to a strawberry plant; pin one down and it will establish its own roots.
Related
Soil & cutting methods hub · Similar plants: Rabbit’s Foot Fern, Asparagus Fern