---
title: "Help! I’m totally new to plants. I got a Boston fern. I’ve been…"
description: "Help! I’m totally new to plants. I got a Boston fern. I’ve been watering it when the app tells me to. It’s in the pot it came in from the nursery- it looks…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/NiZALrtASBeROEC20lQA3w/sx0YRJckX2mOU7vdsHvkzN"
community: "Fern Friends"
author: "Haiden"
published: "2025-04-07T18:49:51.538495Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L_BFsUmP4vkxTE3vdzOO2HtZ-LCiv4dLs2vYu32ppIU/TY95g-oITba14_CiLE_VPg.webp?size=large"
---

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# Help! I’m totally new to plants. I got a Boston fern. I’ve been…

_Posted by Haiden on 2025-04-07_

Help! I’m totally new to plants. I got a Boston fern. I’ve been watering it when the app tells me to. It’s in the pot it came in from the nursery- it looks like it’s a 10inch hanging plastic pot. The soil is moist. (Sticks to my fingers when i touch). Should I take it out of the pot and look at the roots? Do I re-pot into something larger? Also- Is it overwatered?  
I’ve had this under the awning on my front porch, it gets partial shade but mostly sun. We are in Texas.

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L_BFsUmP4vkxTE3vdzOO2HtZ-LCiv4dLs2vYu32ppIU/TY95g-oITba14_CiLE_VPg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/L_BFsUmP4vkxTE3vdzOO2HtZ-LCiv4dLs2vYu32ppIU/6YXQDYFWQJyKyUnZe5oDvA.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Trying to Survive🪴 commented on 2025-04-07

I'm not an expert but it sounds like you might be overwatering it. I have a couple other ferns and they also seem to enjoy bottom watering.

### JennD commented on 2025-04-08

If it’s getting direct sun that would be too much for it also.

#### Haiden replied on 2025-04-08

I do think it will need to move before the summer. I’ll need to likely bring it inside to a window. I’m just worried about it drying out..

### Chelsea 🌱✨ commented on 2025-04-08

Ferns are divas, I’ve lost so many but they keep calling me to try again. My newest ferns are inside and spend about 4-6 hours by the humidifier and they’ve been pretty happy. Might be worth a shot.  
If you want to keep them outside definitely suggest way less direct sunlight and keep the soil moist (but not soggy). Would also recommend pruning the dead bits. Good luck!

### Kristen Hendrickson commented on 2025-05-26

I have two and I live in Wisconsin. In the summer they like to be outside in partial shade and they don’t require as much watering because of humidity in the air. In the winter they are inside, require more water and a lot of misting to do well. My daughter lives in Texas and I know it can get very hot. I’d try moving it indoors or in more shade and if it isn’t humid there, I would mist it a lot over watering the soil. Mine also benefit from humidifiers and dishes of water near them.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/vlcunvkXAyiIGHa2u1qZXOHh1i-7t4PIaMWRWa75z-4/KJ1DVDSnQS-cNfw3wDU47w.webp?size=large)

### Néné commented on 2025-09-20

Mine looks like this too. I've taken it from my room to the kitchen to see if it helps but nada. I live in Hawaii. I'm not sure how much more humid it wants to be. It's always dry when I water it again. Crunchy little thing too. Not dead - yet. Probably mad because it was taken from its AC cooled store to my home, "here's a window with some spritzes." Lol

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