Bird’s nest fern care guide
Are you a fern-lover looking for something a little bit different? Bird’s nest ferns are a fun alternative to some of the more common ferns and one of the best indoor house plants you can acquire.
With their bright green foliage, these striking ferns can be described as everything between crinkly and crispy to rippling and seaweedy. Typically found high up in palm trees or in the crooks of their trunks, their name comes from their nest-like unfurling leaves structures.
Bird’s nest ferns have some great benefits: they are long-living, non-toxic for cats and dogs, and reasonably easy to take care of. But the Asplenium nidus‘ greatest quality is its efficient conversion of CO2, making it one of the best air-purifying plants.
Read on to learn more about how to take care of bird’s nest ferns!
How to care for a bird’s nest fern
The bird’s nest fern, which also goes by the Latin name Asplenium nidus, is a species of fern native to tropical environments like southeastern Asia, Australia, and eastern Africa. It’s a resilient evergreen plant that thrives in humid conditions and loves a regular care routine.
While this fern is fairly forgiving, being familiar with basic plant care is important because it needs just the right balance of light and moisture – not too much, not too little. If you give it what it wants, this beautiful plant feels right at home here in the UK.
1. Give moderate light
Because bird’s nest ferns usually grow underneath the cover of trees, they are not fans of direct sunlight. However, they need some indirect light to grow and stay healthy. Neither the sunniest nor the shadiest spot will do!
They like a medium amount of indirect light, so think north- or east-facing windows rather than south- or west-facing. The winter sun and morning sunshine shouldn’t do much harm, but avoid strong direct sunlight outside of winter and sunnier parts of the day or you’ll risk scorching the leaves.
2. Water regularly
Figuring out how often you should water your indoor plants is never a straightforward matter. Bird’s nest ferns are a bit tricky when it comes to moisture: they need plenty of water, but don’t appreciate getting too wet. You should avoid watering them from directly above and in the centre to prevent mould.
Instead, water from the edges of your pot when the surface layer of the soil feels dry (around twice a week). Regular misting will maintain the level of humidity your bird’s nest fern likes if it’s in a dry environment. If the soil gets a bit dry, your Asplenium nidus should be fine – but don’t let it dry out completely.
3. Provide moist soil with good drainage
As bird’s nest ferns naturally grow in trees, they prefer soil that doesn’t get soggy but still maintains plenty of moisture. Go for soil rich in organic matter, and check it regularly with your finger to make sure it stays hydrated.
Never let your fern sit in water as this can lead to root rot. Instead, try putting it in a tray of pebbles with a bit of water, or watering it in the sink and draining excess water before putting it back in its display pot.
4. Grow in a humid home
If you’re growing an Asplenium nidus as a houseplant, consider putting it in your bathroom or kitchen as it loves steamy environments. In less humid rooms, keep an eye out for any signs of dryness (like brown edges) and consider getting a humidifier if this becomes an issue.
5. Keep comfortable temperatures
Bird’s nest ferns aren’t too difficult when it comes to temperature, but coming from hotter climates they do like a bit of warmth. Around 18-24ºC is ideal, but they can even survive the lower ends of 10-13ºC in a pinch. If you find the temperature comfortable, chances are your fern does too – so avoid chilly draughts.
What are the signs of an unhappy bird’s nest fern?
When bird’s nest ferns are unhappy, they let you know. If yours displays any unusual symptoms, here are some solutions for the most common problems:
Yellow or drooping leaves
As much as bird’s nest ferns like humidity, if their leaves turn yellow or limp you might be over-watering them. Make sure the soil is draining properly and reduce the regularity of your watering sessions.
Pale or scorched leaves
Excessive bright light can cause bird’s nest fern leaves to lighten or even become scorched. If this is happening, move your fern to a shadier spot. Pale leaves can also be down to needing a bit of fertiliser. While they don’t require a lot of extra fertilising, a diluted solution could help grow healthier leaves.
Brown spots or edges
This is most likely due to underwatering, but can also be caused by cold temperatures or a lack of humidity. Make sure that you keep the soil moist to the touch in a regular watering schedule, and consider misting the plant on top of that. If your Asplenium nidus is near anything that would cause a draught (e.g. an air vent) or dryness (e.g. a radiator), move it to a more comfortable spot.
Lacking growth
Bird's nest ferns grow slowly and typically only up to around 50-60cm vertically, spreading horizontally to around 45-50cm. In ideal humid conditions, they can grow up to a meter, but indoors this is pretty rare. If growth seems slow, try feeding your fern with a diluted fertiliser up to once a month in the spring and summer seasons.
Do I need to repot my bird’s nest fern?
Bird’s nest ferns have small roots and grow slowly so don’t need frequent repotting. They don’t run out of space, but they do need occasional repotting to make sure they can still attach themselves. So if you find yours becoming a bit unstable, move it to a slightly larger pot following our guide to repotting indoor plants.
Other than that, once a year, while it’s growing, should do the trick, and every two to three years when the plant is mature.
Make sure to handle your bird’s nest fern and its leaves with care when repotting! Bird’s nest ferns, and especially their new leaves emerging from the centre, are fragile and prone to damage. Gently loosen the roots from the pot and set the plant in its new home at the same depth with fresh potting mix.
How do I propagate my bird’s nest fern?
Asplenium nidus propagation is quite tricky to do for an amateur gardener (unless you have the scientific know-how and a lot of patience) because plant propagation happens via spores at the bottom of the plant’s leaves. Sadly, the plant doesn’t conveniently grow baby plants, nor does it grow from stem cuttings.
If you do want to give it a go, here’s how to do it: once these are large and fuzzy, they can be cut off and stored in a paper bag for a few days. The spores will grow when sprinkled on sphagnum moss in a pot in a dish of water that’s soaked up from the bottom. To keep the spores moist, you can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or mist them every day. Place them in a shady room-temperature location and wait for two to four weeks for germination. Then, pot them in fresh, consistently moist soil and wait for another three to four weeks with your fingers crossed.
If you’re ready to embark on a new botanical adventure or looking to give a leafy gift, why not check out our list of best indoor house plants for inspiration? And if you’re looking for more tips for keeping your indoor plants healthy, check out our plant guides curated by experts to cover all your questions.