Horticulture Magazine

Growing Bird’s Nest Fern As Houseplants? Don’t Ignore These Guidelines

bird's nest fern plant with long thin green leaves growing outdoors in front of a wall
By ELIZABETH WADDINGTON

Elizabeth is a Permaculture Garden Designer, Sustainability Consultant and Professional Writer, working as an advocate for positive change. She graduated from the University of St. Andrews with an MA in English and Philosophy and obtained a Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design from the Permaculture Association.

/ Updated October 9th, 2024
Reviewed By DAN ORI
Dan Ori, MCIHort, Horticulturist

Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture.

/ Meets Our Editorial Guidelines

ASPLENIUM GUIDES

Bird’s Nest Fern is an attractive evergreen fern commonly grown as a houseplant here in the UK.

If you are looking for a lush houseplant for a warm and humid location inside your home then this could be a good plant to consider.

It is relatively easy to grow as long as suitable conditions are provided, and can look good within your home throughout the year.

Overview

Botanical NameAsplenium nidus
Common Name(s)Bird’s Nest Fern; Spleenwort
Plant TypeFern
Native AreaSoutheast Asia, Eastern Australia, Pacific Islands, India & East Africa
Hardiness RatingH1B
ToxicityNone
FoliageEvergreen
When To PlantAny time of the year
Sunlight

Preferred
Partial Shade

Exposure
Sheltered

Size

Height
0.5 – 1M

Spread
0.5 – 1M

Soil

Preferred
Loam or sand

Moisture
Moist but well-drained

pH
Acidic to neutral

This epiphytic fern is in the Aspleniaceae plant family.1Simpson, M. L. (2019b). Evolution and Diversity of Vascular Plants. Elsevier EBooks, 75–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-812628-8.50004-3

It is widely referred to as bird’s nest fern, or simply nest fern – a name which it shares with some other Aspleniums.

In its native habitat, it can survive either as an epiphyte or terrestrial plant, but usually grows from organic matter.2Asplenium nidus. (n.d.). Ferns of Sulawesi. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://sulawesiferns.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/7634/descriptions

waxy green leaves from a bird's nest fern plant growing from in between a few rocks outside with other green shrubs around it

It may be found on palms, where it collects water and nutrients in its leaf-rosette.

In Taiwan, bird’s nest fern is eaten as a vegetable, often cut into inch-long pieces and stir-fried with garlic and chillies.3(2020b, March 4). Ferns on your plate. Taipei Times. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2016/01/09/2003636762

However, in the UK, it is commonly grown as an ornamental houseplant, prized for its long crinkled fronts.

Common Cultivars

Asplenium nidus has a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

There is not a huge range of different types, but there are a few cultivars which differ from one another in their leaf shape.

‘Antiquum’
Asplenium antiquum 'Leslie' plants in pots in a nursery

Has wavy, edged leaves.

‘Crispy Wave’
crispy wave spleenwort against a white background

Has ruffled, sword-like leaves.

‘Osaka’
unfurled leaves of Asplenium antiquum Osaka

Has narrow leaves with rippled edges.

‘Victoria’
Asplenium nidus 'Victoria' plant with waxy, curled green leaves growing in a pot on a pebbled ground

Has wavy, long, tongue-shaped foliage.

Asplenium Care

These ferns will usually be happy as long as you provide them with the conditions they need.

Soil Conditions

These plants thrive in a moist but well-drained growing medium with added grit.

potted bird's nest ferns growing outside in soil that has been mulched with a thin woodchip material

The RHS recommends a mix of loam, coarse leaf mould or coir and charcoal for optimal results, but a typical peat-free compost of good quality with added grit can also work well.

The mix must be rich in organic matter and have excellent drainage that will still retain sufficient moisture.

Light

A. nidus requires bright but filtered light so should be placed out of direct sunlight which can burn the leaves.

An east or north-facing window can be the ideal place for one of these houseplants within your home.

Watering

This fern needs a moderately moist growing medium, but it will not do well if left sitting in waterlogged conditions.

asplenium nidus in a pot on a windowsill inside next to a mister full of water

You should water well whenever the top 2cm of the potting mix is dry.

Make sure you direct the water where it is needed and avoid aiming water at the centre of the rosette as, if water lingers there at the centre of the plant, this can cause fungal issues and rot.

Temperature & Humidity

Bird’s nest ferns will thrive in temperatures between around 15-25°C, though they can tolerate temperatures down to around 10°C.

Make sure that your plant is protected and is not subjected to colder temperatures, especially for prolonged periods.

wavy green leaves from a spleenwort growing in a pot in the corner of a room

Creating a suitable humid environment is also important and these ferns will thrive in a high-humidity location, such as a bathroom or kitchen.

If you cannot provide this, then you will need to mist the plant regularly to ensure that humidity is high enough for these plants to thrive.

Fertilising

It is a good idea to feed bird’s nest ferns with a balanced, organic liquid feed (such as a compost tea) diluted to half-strength to avoid any nitrogen burn.

This feed should be used every month or so when watering your plant throughout the growing season which is usually between April and September.

asplenium nidus plant with long tall wavy leaves growing from a black centre outside

Make sure that you do not apply the feed to the leaves but directly into the soil, as direct contact can damage the leaves.

Common Issues

Fronds naturally turn brown and are replaced over time with fresh foliage as this is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle.

However, browning foliage may also be due to drafts or drying.

If leaves turn yellow, this can be a sign that you have applied too much fertiliser or a sign that the foliage has been damaged by direct sun.

green leaves from a bird's nest fern growing from a tree in the wild

Typically, bird’s nest ferns are not particularly prone to pest or disease problems, though they can have some issues with pests like scale insects with which houseplant owners may well be familiar.

However, growing these plants organically is particularly important, since the leaves are very fragile and can be damaged by products like chemical pesticides, and you should also be very careful not to touch the new fronds that form, as they can be damaged very easily.

Propagating

The propagation of ferns like this is not the easiest job for novice gardeners.

The plants propagate not by means of seeds but through spores, which form like fuzzy spots on the bottom of the fronds.

However, if you would like to give it a go, cut a frond with natural fuzzy spots and place it in a paper bag.

lots of Asplenium seedlings propagated in small containers

The spores will drop into the bag and a couple of days later, you can take those spores.

Place them on top of some moss in a dish of water, keeping the moss moist but not waterlogged and put it in a shaded spot.

New plants should appear within a few weeks.

References

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