Boston fern
Nephrolepis exalta bostoniensis (Dryopteridaceae)
Cats and dogs
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Not expected to poison cats or dogs. Eating any plant can still cause vomiting or an upset stomach, so keep it out of reach of chewers.
Source: ASPCA entry "Boston Fern", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol Copes
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Give it bright, indirect or filtered light; Wisconsin describes it as medium-bright, e.g. an east window or behind a sheer curtain in a south or west window. Keep it out of direct sun, which damages the fronds.
Direct sun: best kept out of it.
On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 1.1 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Demanding. Water: Keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out; water a bit less in winter but avoid soggy soil.
Needs high humidity; kitchens, bathrooms or a pebble tray help (NC State, Clemson).
More pet-safe plants for similar light
- African violet bright indirect light
- Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) bright indirect light
- Christmas cactus bright indirect light
- Earth star (Cryptanthus) bright indirect light
- Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) bright indirect light
- Lipstick plant bright indirect light
Sources
- Toxicity: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Boston Fern"
- Light and care: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, "Nephrolepis exaltata"
- Light and care: Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC, "Indoor Ferns"
- Light and care: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture), "Boston Fern, Nephrolepis exaltata var. Bostoniensis"