Pocket BotanistCheck these first
- Touch the soil to see if it is dry.
- Check the weight of the pot to see if it feels light.
- Look for crispy tips that suggest low humidity.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil feels bone dry and the fronds look limp or shriveled.
What to do: Submerge the entire pot in a basin of water for 15 to 20 minutes. Let it drain completely before placing it back in its spot. Water every 3 to 7 days when the top inch of soil feels slightly dry.
Low Humidity
Most likelyHow to tell: The soil is moist but the fronds still look wilted and sad.
What to do: Move your fern to a bathroom or kitchen where humidity is naturally higher. You can also place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water to boost moisture around the fronds.
Find out what's wrong with your boston fern
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
If the plant stays limp after a thorough soaking, the roots may be damaged. It is normal for a fern to droop slightly if it has been moved to a new spot.
Stopping it coming back
Keep the soil consistently moist and mist the fronds regularly to maintain a humid environment.
Keep your boston fern healthy from here
Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.
Questions people ask
- Should I cut off the drooping fronds?
- Yes, you can trim away any fronds that do not perk up after watering. This helps the plant focus its energy on new growth.
- Can I use a humidifier?
- Absolutely, a humidifier is one of the best ways to keep a Boston fern happy. Aim for 50 percent humidity or higher.
More problems with Boston fern
- Why are my Boston fern's frond tips turning brown?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Boston fern?
- Why are my Boston fern's leaves turning yellow?
- Why is my Boston fern dropping leaves?
- Why are there spots on my Boston fern?
- Why is my Boston fern showing signs of root rot?
- Why is my Boston fern looking leggy?
- Why are my Boston fern's leaves curling?
This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.