You can't use them to grow new plants. To care for a Boston fern, first make sure it's in a place that gets indirect sunlight. This is not the edible fiddlehead of commerce -- don't eat the Arkansas natives. The pods are tubers or nodules. The cinnamon ferns new fronds emerge covered in a reddish hair, and are called fiddleheads. Check the rhizome for a strong root network and place it in the soil. ... the roots can be used to flavor drinks, boiled and served in a vinaigrette dressing, or dried, ground and baked with barley into a … As part of a landscape design, however, ostrich ferns, hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 through 7, make for a pleasing green backdrop for perennial plants. During the winter, mist the leaves twice a day. The sweet fern Comptonia peregrina, does form root nodules for nitrogen fixing/nutrients in sandy, low fertility soils. As the fronds age, the red hairs drop off, but a few are retained where the little leaflets join the main stem of the leaf. Boston Ferns and your Cat The Cat Fanciers association lists the Boston fern ( Nephrolepis exaltat a--a.k.a. Today, our little guy taught us differently by munching on my boston fern last night while we slept, and getting sick afterwards. I personally have always assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that the root nodules on asparagus ferns were there to store nutrients/moisture for the plant. Boston ferns thrive in high humidity, so if you live in a dry climate, run a humidifier or place it on a tray filled with pebbles and water to raise the humidity. Bracken Fern used to make good blood after menses or childbirth. Asked by Anonymous on March 4, 2014. Examine roots for nematode and root rot symptoms. If you are good with plants though, you might try to raise a Boston fern. Many ferns are indeed poisonus to pets, but not the popular Boston fern. Sword Fern) as a non-toxic plant for cats. Ferns used for Digestion (including stomach ache and parasites) Mountain Wood Fern used for stomachache. Dig up a broad-diameter section of ferns and put in a large container holding about four inches of moist potting soil. The plant stores energy in the them. Q. Boston Ferns - I recently purchased two Boston ferns. Boston ferns stop growing from fall to winter and during this dormant stage like the temperature to be 50 degrees, minimal watering (the soil should be barely moist), and no fertilizer. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when it is time to re-pot your fern: Use a good commercial potting soil high in humus matter, such as those formulated for African violets, and choose a pot that is the same size as, or 2 inches larger in diameter than, the original pot. Step 1 - Obtain a Fern Rhizome in Late Summer. They are a favorite plant among cats who love to nibble at and play with the long fronds. Keep the soil damp, and water the fern if the soil feels dry. Questions About Boston Fern Plants. They take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen, improving air quality, and through transpiration, infuse dry air with needed humidity. Graying Nephrolepsis, Boston fern: Leaves have a gray color and plants have few runners. Rock Cap used for stomachaches and cholera. Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata) used root infusion for stomach trouble. Household plants reflect a decorator's tastes and gardening prowess, and add to the look and feel of your home. Royal Fern used for intestinal worms. Fiddlehead ferns can refer to a number of young, unfurled ferns, but ostrich ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are the variety of ferns harvested and eaten. The University of Nebraska lists the Boston fern … Edible Ferns of New England. According to the ASPCA, Boston ferns are non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Drought: Maintain even soil moisture at all times. By Elizabeth Riely. Find a healthy clump of ferns, a shade plant, in a wooded area. Foliar Nematode Asplenium: Small dark green spots form at the base of … The Boston fern is a popular houseplant that is not fussy about its environment and requires minimal care.