Boston Fern question

Dec 01, 2004 3 Replies

Hi folks. I have a rather large Boston Fern on my front porch in a 16" pot, and no room to put it in the ground. Also don't really have room to put it in a bigger pot. This thing is growing like crazy and would like to know if there is a proper way to trim one of these back without damaging it? Thanks for your help.


Paul - take the whole plant out of the pot and put it on the ground on some newspaper (so you don't make a mess). Next take a large sharp knife and just cut the plant into quarters (half and then half again). Cut right through the root ball. Put each piece in a new pot with some fresh potting soil and water heavily. We do this in landscape all the time with ferns. We buy 3 gallon plants and cut them either in half or in quarters.

You can divide it in half. Take it out of the pot, slice it down the middle with a machete, and pot up the two halves. Keep it out of any direct sun for several days to recover.

Thanks folks. Wondering what the roots are like on this big guy? If there is a big ball, can the roots be cut shorter and allowed to grow again? Thanks again.

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