Boston Fern Types

Fluffy Duffy

• Fluffy duffy is a fine-textured Boston fern with small fronds that divide and overlap extensively. The width of frond base is more than twice its length, and the heavy overlapping gives the plant a three-dimensional, sculptured look. Fluffy duffy has a thick, dense canopy and is susceptible to Rhizoctonia.

Dallas

• Dallas is a small Boston fern that also is referred to as Dallas jewel. The relatively new cultivar has once-divided fronds with short, broad leaflets and a short frond midrib. The reduced surface area of the fern promotes air circulation within the plant with better light penetration as compared to the more dense growing cultivars. This increases its longevity as an indoor plant. Dallas has a rapid growth rate.

Bostoniensis Compacta

• Bostoniensis compacta is among the most popular types of Boston fern and is a compact, compressed form of the larger Boston fern. Bostoniensis compacta has shorter fronds that are less pendulous. The University of Florida Extension lists the plant as an intermediate size fern.

Florida Ruffle

• Florida ruffle is an intermediate size fern. The stiff growing and twice-divided fronds taper near the tip. The frond base width is wide, often one-third or more of the frond length. This broad frond base gives the fern a very dense canopy that often inhibits light and air penetration to the inner plant areas. Dense ferns such as Florida ruffle require extra good care when growing indoors.

Massii

• Massii is among the larger Boston ferns. The plant is very close in resemblance to the original Bostoniensis, but the fronds are a darker green in color and more pendulous in growth.