How to Grow a Bird’s Nest Fern, One of the Easiest Houseplants Ever
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Some ferns can be fussy to grow indoors and tend to drop fronds constantly (we’re looking at you, Boston fern!), but the bird’s nest fern is a true gem. With thick strappy leaves and distinctive black or brown midribs, this bright green fern is a beautiful houseplant that requires less coddling than many other types of ferns. It’s a great choice you’re looking for a striking and resilient indoor plant to add to your collection.
The bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) gets its name from the cup or “nest” shape of the plant, with fronds that sprout out from its center. Like orchids and air plants, the bird’s nest fern is an epiphyte that grows on the surface of tree trunks and limbs. In its natural environment, this plant’s funnel-shaped rosette of fronds catches falling leaves and other plant matter to create its own mini compost pile!
Although it is native to tropical rainforests, the bird's nest fern is highly adaptable to our homes. In USDA Hardiness Zone 10 to 11 (find your zone here), it can be grown outdoors on a patio in full shade. It’s a slow-grower, but with its wavy, smooth, or crinkly leaves and low-maintenance upkeep, the bird’s nest fern is a lovely plant for both new and experienced plant parents. Here's what to know about it.
Bird’s Nest Fern Basics
Common name: Bird’s nest fern
Botanical name: Asplenium nidus
Family: Aspleniaceae
Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect indoors; shade outdoors
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich soils with high organic matter
Mature Size: 3 to 5 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 11
Native Area: Polynesia, Hawaii, Southeast Asia, Australia, Madagascar
Toxic to Pets? No
How to Care for a Bird's Nest Fern
Temperature
Like most tropical houseplants, the bird’s nest fern likes average indoor temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoors, it cannot tolerate a freeze and must be brought in or protected when temperatures drop into the 40s.
Humidity
Although this fern prefers high humidity, it adapts well to dry indoor conditions, as long as it is kept properly watered. Its waxy leaves make it more resilient than ferns with delicate fronds, such as the Boston fern and maidenhair ferns, which struggle with low humidity levels.
Water
Keep your bird’s nest fern slightly moist, but not soggy. Too much water will cause it to rot. Also, water along the edges of the pot, not in the crown (the center of the plant) to prevent crown rot.
Soil
This plant will grow in any well-draining, general-purpose potting mix, and it looks equally smashing in a hanging basket or mounted on a piece of wood.
In warm climates, it also thrives on any tree with a little growing material such as moss, just as it does in the wild. Use copper wire to lightly attach it to the crook of a tree limb.
Fertilizer
Bird’s nest ferns benefit from regular fertilization. Use any general-purpose fertilizer at half the strength that's recommended on the packaging from spring to fall.
Sunlight
The bird’s nest fern does best in bright, indirect sunlight. Do not give it direct sunlight, which will cause it to burn. It also fades quickly if it receives insufficient light. A grow light is another option if you don’t have a bright east-, south-, or west-facing window.
Common Problems With Bird’s Nest Ferns
The bird’s nest fern is rarely bothered by pests. Occasionally, it may be affected by scales or spider mites; inspect your plant regularly and treat with an insecticidal soap immediately if you spot an infestation. But test one leaf first as the plant can be sensitive to many insecticides.
In addition, the bird's nest fern is not an easy plant to propagate, even for plant pros. You must first collect spores (the brown fuzzy spots on the bottom of mature fronds) and start them in sphagnum moss; you cannot take cuttings as you would to propagate many other houseplants. Because of its super-slow growth rate and low success rate at propagating, it’s better to purchase a new plant if you want to add another bird’s nest fern to your collection.
Types of Bird’s Nest Ferns
‘Crispy Wave’
This type of bird's nest fern has wavy, ruffled fronds.
‘Hurricane’
This variety of bird's nest fern has fronds that sweep around in a circular pattern, as if blown by a hurricane.
‘Crissie’
This bird's nest fern type has fronds that become branched or “crested” at the ends.
Is Bird’s Nest Fern Toxic to Pets?
According to Tina Wismer, DVM, the senior director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, bird's nest fern is not toxic to pets. However, any amount of plant material that is ingested can cause GI upset such as vomiting, says Dr. Wismer. To be on the safe side, keep plants away from any pets who are nibblers, and any time you suspect your pet has munched on a houseplant, contact your vet.
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