Plants 101

How to Care for Bird’s Nest Fern

Learn how to care for the Bird’s Nest Fern!

Back To Blog

Native to tropical regions such as southeast Asia, Australia, east Africa and Hawaii to name a few, Bird’s Nest Ferns (Asplenium Nidus) are typically found in palm trees. Given the right indoor environment, they will thrive and make for a wonderfully unique houseplant.

Bird’s Nest Fern

Ferns come in a wide variety of colors and textures. The Bird’s Nest Fern has large simple fronds that are tropical-like in that they resemble banana leaves. Their fronds are light green, often crinkled or wavy, and rise from a central rosette. The rosette is fuzzy where the emerging fronds resemble bird’s eggs - hence the common name.

Shop Now

General Care

Sunlight

Thrives in medium to bright indirect light, but can tolerate low indirect light.

Water

Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out half way down between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Do not water directly into the center of your fern, but instead, water around it.

Humidity

Tolerates average indoor humidity. Prefers high humidity.

Temperature

Average home temperature of 65°F-75°F. If you’re comfortable, the Bird’s Nest Fern is comfortable.

Size

Indoors, the Bird’s Nest Fern can grow to approximately 2’.

Common Problems

SYMPTOM: Pale green leaves, dry potting mix
CAUSE: Thirsty plant, underwatered

SYMPTOM: Yellowing lower leaves, wet potting mix
CAUSE: Too much light or overwatering

SYMPTOM: Brown, crispy leaves
CAUSE: Humidity, underwatering


Words By The Sill

Empowering all people to be plant people—a collection of articles from The Sill’s team of plant experts across a variety of plant care topics to inspire confidence in the next generation of plant parents. Welcome to Plant Parenthood™.

Do Some Plant Shopping