Plant guide
Boston Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Boston fern is considered non-toxic to cats. This guide covers Nephrolepis exaltata. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach, so discourage chewing.
Non-toxic does not mean edible. Eating plant material can still upset your cat’s stomach.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Nephrolepis exaltata. Its source uses the common name Feather Palm but gives this exact fern species. It does not cover every plant sold as a fern.
Photo:
Photo details
Nephrolepis exaltata indoor0705c.jpg
By BotBln
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Nephrolepis exaltata indoor0705c.jpg
By BotBln
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Boston fern
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Non-toxic does not mean edible. Chewing plants can still upset your cat’s stomach.
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Look for Nephrolepis exaltata and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Nephrolepis exaltata
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Nephrolepidaceae
- Also known as
- Wild Boston Fern
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Nephrolepis exaltata.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
Choose bright, indirect light.
- Watering
- Keep evenly moist
Do not let the root ball dry out completely; maintain moisture without standing water.
- Temperature
- Growing range: 60–70°F / 16–21°C
Keep the plant away from drying heat sources.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
High humidity helps keep the fronds in good condition.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained potting mix that retains moisture.
- Through the year
- Reduce watering in winter, but do not let the root ball become dry. Regular patterns of brown dots on frond undersides may be spore structures, rather than insects.
Growing-guide sources
- nephrolepis exaltata - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
- Reported signs
- Not recorded in the reviewed evidence
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
No verified alternative recommendations are available for this guide.
Sources & review
- Feather Palm — Nephrolepis exaltata ↗ASPCA Poison Control · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .