Sword fern 'Green Lady' Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady'
ABOUT
'Green Lady' is a clump-forming, evergreen fern with erect to arching, lance-shaped, pinnate fronds on wiry stems
About this plant
NamesFamily
Nephrolepidaceae.
Synonyms
Boston Fern, Sword Fern, Fishbone Fern, Wild Boston Fern, Tuber Ladder Fern, Boston Swordfern.
Common names
Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady'.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Spread
2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters)
Plant type
Fern
Hardiness zones
10-11
Native area
Central and South America, West Indies
Benefits
General Benefits- Enhances decor: The lush green foliage can beautify indoor spaces, adding a touch of natural elegance.
- Improves humidity: By releasing moisture into the air through transpiration, it can help maintain indoor humidity levels.
- Low maintenance: The Boston Fern is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal attention to thrive indoors.
- Non-toxic: It is safe for homes with pets as it is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- Reduces noise: Its dense fronds can help absorb noise, making indoor environments more peaceful.
- Emotional well-being: The presence of plants like the Boston Fern can have a calming effect, contributing to reduced stress levels.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady', commonly known as Boston fern, can be used in terrariums to create a lush, miniature forest environment for small tropical reptiles and amphibians.
- Due to its dense fronds, Boston fern can provide a natural privacy screen when grown in hanging baskets on balconies or patios.
- Boston ferns can be used in living art installations such as green walls or vertical gardens to add texture and visual interest.
- These plants can be used in theatrical productions and film sets to create a realistic jungle or forest backdrop.
- Boston fern can serve as a natural humidifier by releasing moisture into the air through a process called transpiration.
- The Boston fern can be used in soundproofing as the dense foliage can absorb and dampen noise to some extent.
- When placed in a bathroom, the Boston fern can thrive on the high moisture levels and provide a fresh, vibrant look to the decor.
- In areas with mild climates, Boston ferns can be planted outdoors to cover the ground as an alternative to traditional lawns, providing a unique texture and requiring less maintenance.
- Because of their lush foliage, Boston ferns can be given as gifts to represent sincerity and long-term friendship.
- The Boston fern can be used in educational settings, such as classrooms or science labs, to teach students about plant biology and the lifecycle of ferns.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Boston Fern is known in Feng Shui to bring positive energy into the home, purify the air, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. It can be placed in areas with lower light and higher humidity. To enhance its energy-cleansing properties, it should be placed in the east, southeast, or directly in front of a window to absorb negative energies and facilitate the flow of positive Chi.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Boston Fern is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purification: Boston ferns, including the 'Green Lady' variety, are known for their ability to purify the air by removing toxins, symbolizing the cleansing of negative energy from an environment.
- Humility: The humble and simple appearance of the Boston fern can represent modesty and plainness, suggesting the value of substance over style.
- Secret Bond of Love: In the Victorian language of flowers, ferns often symbolized secret love or hidden passions, making the 'Green Lady' a representation of discreet and private affection.
- Restraint: The delicate fronds of the Boston fern that gracefully arch over can stand for self-control and the ability to hold back, aligning with the plant's non-showy nature.
- Shelter: As ferns are commonly found in forests providing cover and shade, they can represent protection and an oasis of safety, reflecting a place or person that offers refuge.
- Eternal Youth: Boston ferns are evergreen plants which retain their lush appearance all year round, thus they symbolize vitality and the everlasting.
WaterThe Boston Fern should be watered regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Aim to water it with up to 4 cups (32 ounces) of water every week, increasing the amount during the warmer, growing season and decreasing during the cooler months. It's important to avoid letting the soil dry out completely, but also be careful not to overwater as this can lead to root rot. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
LightBoston Ferns thrive best in bright, indirect sunlight. They should be placed in a spot where they can receive plenty of light without being exposed to harsh, direct sunlight, which can scorch their fronds. An east or north-facing window would be an ideal location for a Boston Fern, providing the soft light conditions it prefers.
TemperatureBoston Ferns prefer temperatures between 60 to 75°F (15 to 24°C), with a minimum temperature threshold of 50°F (10°C) for survival. These ferns like a consistent temperature, and it’s best to avoid sudden temperature fluctuations and cold drafts that can damage the fronds. The ideal temperature conditions maintain a moderate, room temperature environment, keeping it far away from cold windows or heat sources.
PruningPrune the Boston Fern to maintain its shape and remove any brown or yellow fronds, which can be cut back to the base. Pruning is best done in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. This not only keeps the plant healthy and aesthetically pleasing but also encourages new growth. Regular inspection and removal of old fronds can be done as needed throughout the year.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Boston Fern prefers a well-draining soil mix composed of peat moss, perlite, and pine bark. A slightly acidic pH of 5.0 to 5.5 suits this plant well.
RepottingBoston Ferns should be repotted every two years to refresh the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & MistingBoston Ferns thrive in high humidity conditions, ideally between 50% to 70%.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in indirect light and maintain high humidity for indoor Boston Fern.
Outdoor
Grow in shaded areas with moist soil for outdoor Boston Fern.
Hardiness zone
9-11 USDA
Life cycleThe Boston Fern, 'Green Lady' (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady'), begins its life as a spore, which germinates in warm, moist conditions to develop into a small, heart-shaped gametophyte called a prothallus. The gametophyte houses both male and female reproductive organs that, when mature, produce sperm and eggs; fertilization occurs when water allows the sperm to swim to the egg. A fertilized egg then grows into a new sporophytic Boston Fern plant, emerging first as a fiddlehead that unfurls into the characteristic pinnate fronds. These fronds photosynthesize to provide food for the plant, allowing it to mature and eventually produce clusters of spores on the undersides of the fronds in structures called sporangia. Over time, the plant can propagate vegetatively by producing roots and new shoots from the rhizome, enabling the spread and growth of new plants nearby. This cycle continues, with the plant living for several years before dying back, leaving spores that can begin the cycle anew.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The best time to propagate the Boston fern, Nephrolepis exaltata 'Green Lady', is during spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method of propagation for Boston ferns is by division. This process involves gently separating the plant into smaller sections, ensuring that each new section has a portion of the root system and several fronds. After division, each section should be planted in a pot filled with a peat-based potting mix, watered thoroughly, and kept in a warm, humid environment to encourage root development. It's important to maintain the soil moisture without waterlogging and to provide indirect light until the divided plants are well-established. Division allows for a quick increase in the number of plants and ensures that the new ferns will have the same characteristics as the parent plant.
