Placement · Boston Fern
Where to Put Your Boston Fern
Bathroom (best — steam from showers is ideal humidity), kitchen, or a hanging basket near an east-facing window. Boston Ferns need 50%+ humidity to thrive.
Best window
East- or north-facing only — never direct sun
Distance from window
2–4 feet from an east window; right beside a north window
Target light
150–500 fc (low to medium indirect)
Room temperature
60–75°F (16–24°C), humidity 50%+
What to avoid
Direct sun (instant fronds burn), heating and AC vents (rapid frond drop), and rooms below 40% humidity
Most common placement mistake
Placing in a sunny living room near a heater vent. The hot, dry air will turn all fronds brown and crispy within a week.
How to measure light at home
A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a free smartphone app like Light Meter or with a $20 digital light meter. As reference points:
- 50\u2013100 fc: A bright corner away from any window — most low-light tolerant plants only
- 100\u2013400 fc: A few feet from a north or east window — medium light
- 400\u20131000 fc: Right next to a bright east window or 3\u20136 feet from a south window — bright indirect
- 1000+ fc: Directly in a south or west window — full sun, only suitable for succulents and high-light tropicals
Source: NC State Extension
For full Boston Fern care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the Boston Fern care guide. Or check out how big Boston Fern gets.