Boston Fern Yellow Fronds

Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a Nephrolepidaceae family houseplant that likes bright, indirect light, a rich, well-draining potting mix, and high humidity. Indoors it prefers steady moisture - not bone dry and not waterlogged - and temperatures between 60-75°F (16-24°C). When fronds yellow, start by checking soil moisture, humidity, and placement before assuming a nutrient issue.

Yellowing can come from several interacting causes: inconsistent watering schedules, too-low humidity, too much direct sun, cold drafts, or tap-water chemicals like fluoride that create brownish tip burn. Pests such as spider mites and mealybugs also stress ferns and can cause chlorosis. Quick checks at the soil surface, rhizomes, and underside of fronds will narrow the cause.

We recommend a focused troubleshooting workflow: confirm moisture with a finger or moisture meter, inspect roots and rhizomes if signs point to rot, raise humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray when air is dry, move the pot to bright indirect light, and change watering technique to keep soil evenly moist. For long-term health, use filtered or distilled water if your tap has fluoride and feed lightly in spring and summer using a diluted balanced fertilizer schedule for indoor plants every 4-6 weeks.